May

Tulip Time - May 7-14, Holland - The annual celebration of Dutch culture and heritage in West Michigan features more than 6 million tulips on display, three parades, local and national musical acts including The Contours, Marvelettes & Diamonds, plus Tulipalooza and plenty of Dutch dancing. General admission is free; concerts are extra.

Mayfest Bluegrass Festival - May 20-22, Lowell - The tribute to local and regional bluegrass bands is back for a 16th year at the Kent County Fairgrounds. Activities at the family-friendly event include a songwriting contest, band scramble and workshops. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own banjos, guitars and fiddles and join in the fun. Tickets are $25 or less.

Great Lakes Kite Festival - May 20-22, Grand Haven - Mackinaw Kites & Toys' hosts the annual event on the beaches of Grand Haven State Park that features giant kites and world-famous stunt kite fliers. Visitors can be bring their own kites or test-fly the newest kites on the manufacturers' fields. Kids activities abound, including the inflatable obstacle course. Free general admission.

Arts in Ada Festival - May 21, Ada - Join the Ada Council for the Arts under the oak trees on Bronson Street for a day of local artwork, food, live music, children's activities and dance. Free admission; open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rock the Coast - May 21-22, Muskegon - Held at Michigan's Adventure, the two-day Christian music festival will have headliners Jason Eaton Band, Kerrie Roberts, Sanctus Real and Thousand Foot Krutch. Two day passes are $40 in advance and include two days' admission to the rides at the theme park. Doors open at 11 a.m.; concerts begin at 6 p.m.

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days - May 24-30, Fruitport - Enjoy seven days of carnival games, midway rides, music, entertainment and food, just east of Muskegon. This year's Old Fashioned Days will have the Michigan Veterans Moving Wall display, fireworks, the Memorial Day Parade, the Wild Kingdom petting zoo and a classic car show sponsored by Royal Corvettes. Admission to most activities is free, with midway wristbands priced at $15 in advance.

June

Festival of the Arts - June 3-5, Grand Rapids - GR's largest annual outdoor event celebrates its 42nd year of honoring the arts in West Michigan. Dozens of food and artist booths stretch from Calder Plaza to Rosa Parks Circle and local musicians and dancers perform on six indoor and outdoor stages. The completely free community festival is supported by the efforts of more than 20,000 volunteers.

Blues on the Mall - June 8-Aug 3, Grand Rapids - Join the gang from 97 WLAV every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle for live blues and classic rock performed by national acts. General admission is free and local vendors provide the food and goods.

Waterfront Film Festival - June 9-12, Saugatuck - Ranked in the list of "Top 5 Film Festivals" by the Screen Actors Guild Magazine, WFF celebrates its 13th year of showcasing outstanding independent films from around Michigan and the U.S. The casual and volunteer-run festival routinely attracts well-known actors, producers and directors from L.A., who often host seminars and question-and-answer sessions and debut films. Individual tickets are $10 each; day/weekend passes are $70-$500.

Bike 'N' Roll Fest - June 9-11, Lake Odessa *RESCHEDULED* - The music and motorcycle festival returns for 2011 with bands like Great White, Slaughter, Nelson and Dizzy Reed from Guns N' Roses. Tickets are $19-$24; camping available.

Start of Summer Celebration - June 10-12, Rockford - Downtown Rockford is transformed into an outdoor celebration of summer with a carnival midway, rides, games, food, live music, shopping, a beer tent, a juried arts & crafts show and more. The fireworks display always attracts a large crowd. Free admission.

Buttermilk Jamboree - June 10-12, Delton - The first-time festival at Circle Pines Center in Delton will celebrate traditional and progressive arts with an emphasis on social justice, cooperation and sustainability. Local bands performing include Delilah DeWylde & the Lost Boys, Ralston Bowles, UV Hippo and more. Tickets are $60 for the weekend.

Local First Street Party - June 11, Grand Rapids - The celebration of local food, local beer, and local music presented by Founders Brewing returns to downtown GR for an eighth year beginning at 4 p.m. More than 10,000 people attended last year's Street Party; live bands include A.B.! & Coconut Brown, Four Finger Five, Mid-Life Crisis and DJ Colin Clive. Admission is free.

Eastown Bizarre Bazaar - June 11, Grand Rapids - The quirky Eastown event helps kick off summer with a wide variety of hand-made arts and crafts created by local artists, live music and a chance to sample the best of the neighborhood restaurants. Free admission; runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Three Fires Traditional Pow Wow - June 11-12, Grand Rapids - Celebrate Native American heritage at Riverside Park with traditional dancing, craft vendors and food booths. Admission is free to the family-friendly and alcohol-free festival.

Feast of the Strawberry Moon - June 11-12, Grand Haven - Harbor Island in Grand Haven hosts the annual 18th Century living history event that re-creates life from 1760-1820, when fur trading was West Michigan's primary industry. This family event includes games for kids, candle making, a tomahawk throw, military battles and 18th c. food and entertainment.

Rogue River Blues Series - June 14-Aug. 16, Rockford - The Garden Club Park Stage in downtown Rockford hosts the local live music series on Tuesday evenings during the summer from 7-9 p.m. Each week, enjoy a mix of blues, jazz, rockabilly, surf or honky tonk. Free admission.

Spring Lake Heritage Festival - June 14-18, Spring Lake - The nearly week-long festival hosted by Grand Haven's eastern neighbor will have a classic car show, library book sale, farmers market, live music in the park, flea market, ice cream social a Bloody Mary mix-off, beer tent, village-wide garage sale, fireworks, Civil War Cemetery walk and more. Admission to most events is free.

Lowell Showboat Sizzling Summer Concert Series - June 16-Aug. 25, Lowell - The Thursday evening summer concert series at the Riverwalk Plaza in downtown Lowell features local musicians from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., along wiith free admission and parking. Flat River Grill offers a cash bar and food on the Showboat.

West Michigan Chalk Art Festival - June 17-18, Byron Center - Artists of all ages are invited to bring their chalk to 84th & Byron Center and showcase their creativity and imagination while competing for the Chalk Awards. Entry fee is $20 each for adults, youths and teams and participants have the opportunity to walk away with $1,000 in cash.

Walker Festival - June 18, Walker - Central City Park behind the Walker City Hall is the site of the family-friendly festival featuring fireworks, a petting zoo, live music & entertainment, food booths and a classic car show. Free general admission; $5 wristbands for unlimited access to all activities.

Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival - June 18, East Grand Rapids - The popular annual art festival on Wealthy Street and Lakeside Drive is sponsored by Grand Valley Artists and features dozens of Michigan and Great Lakes-area artist booths from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission is free; open rain or shine.

Field of Green Festival - June 18, Grand Rapids - Blandford Nature Center on Grand Rapids' northwest side will have live music, sustainability-themed vendors, horse-drawn wagon rides, a petting zoo and kids games from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 admission.

B-93 Birthday Bash - June 18-19, Martin - Birthday Bash 19 returns to the US 131 Motorsports Park for 2011. General admission is free, reserved seats and parking are extra. This year's lineup includes Josh Turner, Eric Church, Frankie Ballard, Gary Allan, Thompson Square and more.

Founders Festival - June 18, Grand Rapids - The collection of beer and music returns to Grandville Ave in downtown GR from 3-11 p.m. with national acts Galactic and Rubblebucket and Michigan performers A.B.! & Coconut Brown and Steppin' In It. Cost is $10-$20; ages 21+ welcome.

West Michigan Pride Festival - June 18, Grand Rapids - The 23rd Annual Pride Festival at Riverside Park will have local vendors, food, a beer tent and live music from 1 to 9 p.m.

Beach Survival Challenge - June 18, Grand Haven - Participants in this team-driven event spend a day at the Grand Haven State Park playing beach soccer, ultimate frisbee, tug-of-war and running through the Ultimate Beach Survival Obstacle Course, all while learning beach and pier safety. Middle school through adult divisions offered; fee charged per team.

Taste of Muskegon - June 19-20, Muskegon - Sample selections from some of the best restaurants and bakeries around Muskegon while raising money for Downtown Muskegon Now! General admission is free, food samples are $1-$5 each and craft beer and wine tastes are $1. The Main Street Car & Bike Show will be held on Sunday in tandem with Taste of Muskegon.

The Big Ticket Festival - June 23-25, Ionia - See more than 110 Christian bands on seven stages at the Ionia Free Fairgrounds, while enjoying the extreme sports area and Kidz Zone. Performing musical acts include Marvin Sapp, Rebecca St. James, Toby Mac and Skillet. Tickets range from $15 for individual day passes to $395 for unlimited family passes.

Grand River Water Festival - June 25-26, Lowell - Now in its fourth year, the festival aims to educate activists to help protect the legacy of the Great Lakes and Michigan's inland waterways. Formerly held at Riverside Park in GR, the event has been expanded to two days of live music and workshops at the 4H Fairgrounds.

Grand Haven Art Festival - June 25-26, Grand Haven - The juried show lines Washington Avenue for the festival's 50th anniversary with 200 booths collectively displaying fine art, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography and stained glass valued at more than $15m. The event will also have live music and food concessions. Admission is free.

Electric Forest Festival - June 30-July 3, Rothbury - The newest incarnation of Rothbury, Electric Forest takes over the Double JJ with headlining musical acts REO Speedwagon, Pretty Lights, Railroad Earth, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Stephen Marley, Paper Diamond and dozens more. Weekend passes start at $199.

Muskegon Summer Celebration - June 30-July 9, Muskegon - Muskegon's largest annual event features food, fun, a midway and fireworks, plus major national musical acts like Trey Songz, Sugar Ray, Goo Goo Dolls and Charlie Daniels Band.

July

Riverwalk Festival - July 7-9, Lowell - The annual festival held at Lowell's Riverwalk Plaza will have the Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in, the $1500 rubber ducky race, a BBQ throwdown, kayak races, food booths, street entertainers, fireworks, children's activity zone, shopping and more. Free admission and parking.

Town and Country Days - July 13-17, Sparta - The annual fair in downtown Sparta will have a classic car show, kids parade, an entertainment and beer tent, carnival rides, live music, tractor pull, sports tournaments and more. Free.

Picnic Pops - July 14-August 5, Cannonsburg - Head to Cannonsburg Ski Area with picnic baskets and camping chairs in hand and enjoy outdoor performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony and special guest collaborators. This year's series includes Classical Fireworks, Generations of Rock, a Beach Boys Tribute and The Music of Michael Jackson. Tickets: $5-$41.

Muskegon Bike Time - July 15-17, Muskegon - Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon will once again host 'America's fastest growing bike event' that has attracted 35,000 bikes and 90,000 spectators. Enjoy three days of motorcycles, food, vendors, beer tents, stunts and live music with special guest headliner, the Marshall Tucker Band. General admission is free.

Wake Wars - July 16-17, Grand Rapids - Returning for a third year, the parking lot of The B.O.B. will be transformed into a competitive wakeboarding area with the construction of two above-ground pools that combine for 40,000 gallons of water. Anyone in the community can compete ($60 fee) and spectators can watch the action, skateboard, shop in the vendor village or enjoy the 30' party pool. General admission is free with VIP passes available.

Berlin Fair - July 18-23, Marne - Located halfway between Grand Rapids and Muskegon at the Berlin Raceway grounds, one of Michigan's oldest fairs features rides, carnival games, food, live music, beer tent, a kids show, animal exhibits, 4-H presentations, plus the Ultimate Air Dogs.

Barry County Fair - July 18-23, Hastings - Held at the Barry County Expo Center, a 160-acre site that has six barns, three outdoor arenas and a racetrack, the annual fair has plenty of room for carnival rides, elephant ears, racing events, tractor pulls and 4-H shows. Admission charged.

National Baby Food Festival - July 20-23, Fremont - The Baby Food Capital of the World hosts the annual festival that features a kid's expo with free popcorn and snow cones, live music with Blue Oyster Cult, karaoke, eating contests, arts & crafts and games. No general admission fee charged; headlining concerts are extra.

Ionia Free Fair - July 21-30, Ionia - Michigan's largest fair stretches for ten days with a carnival midway, live music, drag racing, demolition derbies, circus performances, motorcross, Cage Combat MMA, food, games and more. Free general admission ($6 per car for parking) with fees charged for special events.

Taste of Grand Rapids - July 22-23 Grand Rapids - Sample entrees and desserts from more than two dozen Grand Rapids-area restaurants at John Ball Park while catching live music and the annual BBQ competition. Admission is free and most samples are $1-$5 each.

Ottawa County Fair - July 25-30, Holland - The annual fair near Lake Macatawa in Holland has all of the classic small-town fair attractions like a carnival midway with rides, food booths, 4-H and livestock shows, a demolition derby, rodeo, harness racing and more. Family fun packs are $41 and include entrance tickets, ride tickets and 20 'Fair Dollars' to spend at food booths.

Coast Guard Festival - July 29-Aug. 7, Grand Haven - Grand Haven's largest annual event attracts 350,000 people annually to the lakeshore to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard. Enjoy ten days of ship tours, parades, fireworks, live music, a carnival midway, shopping, food, a kids day and street dance. Free general admission.

August

Newaygo County Fair - Aug. 6-13, Newaygo - In operation for more than 50 years, the fair and livestock show on M-82 has a petting farm, sheep shearing demonstrations, vendor tents, food, rides, a demolition derby, burn out contests, the 'Farm Olympics' and more. General admission is free; parking is $3.

Red Barns Spectacular - Aug. 6, Hickory Corners - Hundreds of antique, classic and special interest vehicles will be on display at the Gilmore Car Museum for the "Grand Daddy" of car shows in West Michigan. Find collector automobiles for sale, campers & RVs, classic boats, bicycles, car parts, tools, literature, pretty much anything related to vehicles. $9 admission includes access to all museum exhibits (kids under 11 are free).

Coopersville Summerfest - Aug. 8-13, Coopersville - The volunteer-driven festival draws thousands of people each year with the Del Shannon Memorial Car Show (showcasing more than 900 cars), a full week of family-friendly activities, food, museum exhibits, tractor games a 5K run and more. Free general admission.

Kent County Youth Fair - Aug 8-13, Lowell - Celebrating more than 75 years, the family-friendly event at the Kent County Fairgrounds will have parades, a talent contest, tractor pulls, a carnival midway with rides, a farmers market, live music, livestock, a rodeo, karaoke and more. Free.

Stanton Old Fashioned Days - Aug. 10-14, Stanton - It's the quintessential small-town Michigan family festival with a classic car show, talent shows, antique tractors, free entertainment, a farmers market, bingo, food, the Grand Parade and more. Free.

Unity Christian Music Festival - Aug. 11-13, Muskegon - Now in its 11th year, the contemporary Christian music festival at Heritage Landing will feature headlining acts like Barlow Girl, Newsboys, Switchfoot, Michael W. Smith, Kutless and many more. One day passes are $10 before July 1 and then increase to $20 during the week of the event.

Cowpie Blues Festival - Aug 12-13, Alaska - The now annual blues festival at Shagbark Farms (a working cattle farm) will again have two stages in 2011 hosting a dozen blues bands from around Michigan and the nation. Weekend passes are $45 in advance and $65 at the gate.

Danish Festival - Aug. 18-21, Greenville - "The Emperor's Nightingale" is the theme of the 47th annual recognition of Danish Heritage in downtown Greenville, which routinely draws 80,000 people each year. Visitors can check out food booths, an arts & crafts fair, theater, the Grand Dansk Parade, hot air balloon flights (weather permitting), live music, tractor pulls and more. Free general admission.

Steeplefest - Aug. 20, Grand Rapids - Last year's debut Steeplefest on the West Side of Grand Rapids attracted 2,000 people, and expectations are high for 2011. From noon until 9 p.m., sample food from local restaurants, enter a chili cook-off, and catch live blues, contemporary and rock. Admission is free.

Art on the River Front - Aug. 20, Grand Haven - The one-day juried art fair at the Grand Haven City Marina and Chinook Pier showcases the work of more than 40 local and regional artists from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Free admission.

Hudsonville Community Fair - Aug. 22-27, Hudsonville - Admission is just $3 for adults (kids under 12 are free) to enter the "Biggest Little Fair in the State". Highlights include the carnival midway, livestock auction, 4-H shows, tractor pull, off-road derbys and live entertainment under the big tent. Admission for grandstand events is extra; parking is free.

28th Street Metro Cruise - Aug. 26-27, Grand Rapids - Now in its 7th year, the event that features 15 miles of cool cars along 28th Street can attract upwards of 15,000 vehicles and 300,000 spectators. Many sites along the route between Grandville and Cascade, like Woodland Mall and Rogers Plaza, host classic car shows, live music, lowrider shows, food booths and special events. Free to participate.

Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival - Aug. 26-28, Grand Rapids - After drawing 6,000 people to its inaugural festival at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (near Michigan St NE & Maryland NE) last year, the celebration of Greek culture returns with locally prepared foods and pastries, live Greek music and dancing, beer and wine and ethnic arts and crafts. Admission: $2.

September

Shoreline Spectacular - Sep. 2-5, Muskegon - The Labor Day weekend festival has been relocated to Western Ave in downtown Muskegon and will feature four days of family events including an arts & crafts show, human foos ball, a car and motorcycle show, picnics, live music, a parade and a hot dog eating contest. Free general admission.

Celebration on the Grand - Sep. 8-10, Grand Rapids - One of Grand Rapids' premier events features fireworks, live music at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Rosa Parks Circle and a chance to sample the best of local restaurants at the Taste of Downtown. Free admission; food selections are $1-$5 each. The fireworks display is scheduled for Friday, September 9 at dusk.

Hispanic Festival - Sep. 9-10, Grand Rapids - The 34th annual Hispanic Festival at the Calder Plaza celebrates the different Latin American Cultures unified by the Spanish language. Enjoy food, music, fun and free admission.

Allegan County Fair - Sep. 9-17, Allegan - In addition to midway rides, games and food, and national musical acts like Jason Aldean will perform at the main grandstand during the nine-day fair. The grandstand area will also host tractor pulls and a demolition derby. Special event ticket prices do not include admission or parking.

Middleville Heritage Days - Sep. 10, Middleville - The annual celebration of Middleville will have a parade, an antique car and motorcycle show, food, crafts, games, live entertainment and a tractor pull.

Michigan Irish Music Festival - Sep. 16-18, Muskegon - Irish food, step dancing and music await visitors at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon. The cultural village will have Irish-made jewelry, baked goods, gifts, artwork, cedar chests and the Pub will have live entertainment and plenty of beer selections on tap. Three-day passes are available for $25 in advance.

Mexican Independence Festival - Sep. 16-18, Grand Rapids - Celebrate the bicentennial of Mexican Independence with one of the largest and oldest ethnic festivals in GR. Enjoy three days of diverse culture, music, art and food at Calder Plaza. Free admission.

Salmon Fest - Sep. 16, Grand Haven - The outdoor-waterfront festival features live jazz music, Big King Salmon fishing contest, exhibits, wine tasting and much more.

Eastown Street Fair - Sep. 17, Grand Rapids - For more than 30 years, the distinct and original street fair on Wealthy Street SE has brought summer to a close with art, food and music on two stages featuring only local bands. Free.