Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Midland, Michigan, is home to several festivals each year. These festivals have not only become mainstay attractions for residents and visitors but have become the face of the community. Summer events such as the the Matrix Festival, Salt River Bluegrass festival and ReMax Hot Air Balloon Festival have helped the community grow together and created bonds that last a lifetime.
Located almost in the dead center of Michigan's lower peninsula, Midland is a cultural hot-spot that plays host to several festivals each year. Whether you are an avid music fan, crafter, artist or just like to have a good time, there is an activity for you.
The Midland County Fair festival held in mid August is headlined every year by high-profile music acts. In 2010 the festival featured Grammy Award winning Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean. It also features yearly demolition derbies and a rodeo. Some of the midway attractions include various meet and greats with celebrities suchj as Ronald McDonald, events as varied as a pole vault competition to a belly dancing expo or the Fantazia circus with 3 daily shows, and a mdway including rides and carnival games.
Every September the Re/Max of Midland Balloon Festival rolls into town. In 2010 the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Midland County Fairgrounds. The Midland hot-air balloon festival is the only big hot-air balloon show in Michigan that does not charge admission.It also allows the public to volunteer to be a crew member for the balloon pilots.
In late June, July, and September the Midland Fairgrounds is host to thousands of antique dealers in one of the largest antique festivals in Michigan. This is the area's most popular events for antique lovers, collectors and vintage auto enthusiasts. More than 1,000 dealers sell, swap, or trade antiques, collectibles, vintage cars and parts. In addition to the antiques dealers there is a coin and sports card building, musical entertainment featuring bluegrass and Americana style music and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
The arts, sciences and humanities are celebrated with 2 1/2 weeks of nonstop events in early June. The first weekend artists and craftspeople show and sell their artwork at the Arts Midland Summer Art Fair. The next week and a half includes performing artists -- comedians, dancers, and country and rock bands. Street performers show their talents daily.
Just a few miles away in Oil City -- between Midland and Mount Pleasant -- the annual Salt River Bluegrass Festival talent roster lures the nation's top bluegrass bands, including The Country Gentlemen, Cherryholmes, Lynn Morris, Allison Krauss & Union Station and Dan Tyminski.