May

Tulip Time - May 5-12, Holland - The annual celebration of Dutch culture and heritage in West Michigan features more than 6 million tulips on display, three parades, a carnival midway, local and national musical acts including The Oak Ridge Boys, plus Tulipalooza and plenty of Dutch dancing. General admission is free; concerts are extra.

Mayfest Bluegrass Festival - May 18-20, Lowell - The tribute to local and regional bluegrass bands returns for another year at the Kent County Fairgrounds. Activities at the family-friendly event include a songwriting contest, a huge barn and bake sale band, workshops camping and more. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own banjos, guitars and fiddles and join in the fun. Tickets are $25 and under.

Great Lakes Kite Festival - May 18-20, 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. General admission is free.

Arts in Ada Festival - May 19, 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.

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days - May 23-28, Fruitport - Enjoy seven days of carnival games, midway rides, music, fireworks, entertainment and food, just east of Muskegon. This year, check out a free circus, children's petting zoo and wildlife exhibit, pony rides, a Corvette Show, community marketplace and more. Admission to most activities is free, with midway wristbands priced at $15 in advance.

Memorial Day Rib Fest - May 25-26, Grand Haven - The 7th annual event in downtown Grand Haven will have two days of live entertainment, music, and of course, ribs.

June

Festival of the Arts - June 1-3, Grand Rapids - GR's largest annual outdoor event celebrates its 43rd 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 local volunteers.

Start of Summer Celebration - June 8-10, 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.

Three Fires Traditional Pow Wow - June 8-10, 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.

Buttermilk Jamboree - June 8-10, Delton - The second-year festival returns to Circle Pines Center in Delton and will celebrate traditional and progressive arts with an emphasis on social justice, cooperation and sustainability. Local bands performing include The Crane Wives, Who Hit John?, Macpodz, Nobody's Darlin' and more. Tickets are $60 for the weekend for adults, $5 for kids.

Local First Street Party - June 9, Grand Rapids - The celebration of local food, local beer, and local music presented by Founders Brewing returns to downtown GR for an 9th year beginning at 4 p.m. Check out live music by La Famiglia, The Hard Lessons and more while sampling eats from What the Truck, Sandmann's and Marge's Donut Den . Admission is free.

Feast of the Strawberry Moon - June 9-10, 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.

Party in the Park - June 12-13, Comstock Park - 104.5 WSNX hosts the concert party at Fifth Third Ballpark. Tickets are $10.45 for either day.

Spring Lake Heritage Festival - June 12-16, 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.

Blues on the Mall - June 13-Aug 8, 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 and regional acts. General admission is free and local vendors provide the food and goods.

Waterfront Film Festival - June 14-17, Saugatuck - Ranked in the list of "Top 5 Film Festivals" by the Screen Actors Guild Magazine, WFF celebrates its 14th 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. This year, Beverly McClellan from 'The Voice' will headline opening night. Individual tickets are $10 each; day/weekend passes are $70-$500.

The Big Ticket Festival - June 14-16, Allegan - Now taking place at the Allegan County Fairgrounds, see numerous Christian bands on multiple stages while enjoying the extreme sports area and Kidz Zone. Performing musical acts include Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, AG Silver and MercyMe. Three-day passes are $34-$99

Lowell Showboat Sizzling Summer Concert Series - June 14-Aug. 23, Lowell - The ten-week 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.

Muskegon Heights Festival - June 15, Muskegon Heights Festival - The community celebration at Rowan Park features a grand parade, sports activities, a senior picnic, arts & crafts, food and a Gospel choir performance.

Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival - June 16, 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.

West Michigan Pride Festival - June 16, Grand Rapids - The 24th Annual Pride Festival at Riverside Park will have local vendors, food, a beer tent and live music from beginning at 11 a.m.

T-Rex Fest - June 16, Grand Rapids - The Pyramid Scheme's first annual outdoor music and beer festival will take over Commerce Ave SW with live musical acts, local food, art vendors and plenty to drink. Ages 21+ welcome.

Field of Green Festival - June 16, Grand Rapids - Blandford Nature Center on Grand Rapids' northwest side will have live music, games, green vendors, nature-themed crafts and more from noon to 5 p.m. $5 admission.

Hatter Days Street Party - June 16, Holland - New Holland Brewing celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Mad Hatter IPA with a cookout, live music, and the Beer, Spirits Cheese Smackdown on College Ave.

Beach Survival Challenge - June 16, 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 16-17, 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.

Rogue River Blues Series - June 19-Aug. 14, 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.

West Michigan Chalk Art Festival - June 22-23, 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 cost is $20 per square for adults, youths and teams; participants have the opportunity to walk away with $1,000 in cash.

Eastown Bizarre Bazaar - June 23, Grand Rapids - The quirky Eastown event will return a couple weeks later than usual for 2012, but will still have 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.

Founders Festival - June 23, Grand Rapids - The collection of beer and music returns to Grandville Ave in downtown GR from 3-11 p.m. with live acts including Soulive, Toubab Krewe, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine. Cost is $15-$25; ages 21+ welcome.

B-93 Birthday Bash - June 23-24, Martin - Birthday Bash 20 returns to the US 131 Motorsports Park for 2012. General admission is free, reserved seats and parking are extra. This year's lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Love & Theft, Montgomery Gentry, Chris Cagle and more plus surprise guests.

Grand Haven Art Festival - June 23-24, Grand Haven - The annual juried show lines Washington Avenue with 150 artist booths collectively displaying fine art, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography and stained glass and more. The event will also have live music and food concessions. Admission is free.

Electric Forest Festival - June 28-July 1, Rothbury - The evolution of Rothbury returns for a second year to the Double JJ Ranch with headlining musical acts like The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar and Thievery Corporation, plus state-of-the-art light displays, artful touches and more. Weekend passes are $242.50.

July

Town and Country Days - July 11-15, 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, visual arts exhibition, petting zoo, sports tournaments and more. Free.

Picnic Pops - July 12-August 3, Cannonsburg - Head to Cannonsburg Ski Area on Thursday and Friday evneings 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, The Music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, a tribute to John Denver and KANSAS live in concert. Lawn seating tickets are $16 ($26 for KANSAS).

Riverwalk Festival - July 12-14, Lowell - The annual festival held at Lowell's Riverwalk Plaza will have three days of live music, a Cruise-In, pet parade, fireworks, food booths and the $1500 State Farm Duck Race. Free admission and parking.

Berlin Fair - July 16-21, 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 and more.

Barry County Fair - July 16-21, 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 18-21, 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 national and local music acts, karaoke, eating contests, arts & crafts and games. No general admission fee charged; headlining concerts are extra.

Ionia Free Fair - July 19-28, Ionia - Michigan's largest fair stretches for ten days with a carnival midway, live music, drag racing, demolition derby, circus performances, motorcross, food, agri-science exhibits, games and more. Free general admission ($6 per car for parking) with fees charged for special events.

Muskegon Bike Time - July 20-22, 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. General admission is free.

Wake Wars - July 21-22, 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 ($30-$70) 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.

Ottawa County Fair - July 23-28, 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 27-Aug. 5, 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. 4-11, Fremont - 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. 4, 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. 6-11, 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 6-11, 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.

Michigan Pirate Festival - Aug 6-12, Grand Haven - Learn the history of pirates through stories, discussions, shows, battles and the firing of reproduced cannons and weaponry at Harbor Island and Central Park.

Stanton Old Fashioned Days - Aug. 8-12, 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. 8-11, Muskegon - Now in its 12th year, the contemporary Christian music festival at Heritage Landing will feature headlining acts like NEEDTOBREATHE, Christ Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and many more. One day passes are $20 before August 7 and then increase to $25 during the week of the event.

Danish Festival - Aug. 16-19, Greenville - "The Snow Queen is the theme of the 48th 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.

Allendale Boulevard Days - Aug. 17-18, Allendale - The family-friendly community event will have a car show, garage sales, karaoke competition, Kid Zone and more.

Steeplefest - Aug. 18, Grand Rapids - Now in its third year, the neighborhood celebration on Grand Rapids' West Side features live bands, food booths, beverage tent, chili cook-off and more from noon until 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Art on the River Front - Aug. 18, 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 5 p.m. Free admission.

Hudsonville Community Fair - Aug. 19-26, 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. 24-25, Grand Rapids - Now in its 8th 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. 24-26, Grand Rapids - After drawing 6,000 people to its inaugural festival at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (near Michigan St NE & Maryland NE) in 2010, the celebration of Greek culture returns for a third year with locally prepared foods and pastries, live Greek music and dancing, beer and wine and ethnic arts and crafts. Admission: $2.

Shoreline Spectacular - Aug 31-Sep 3, 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.

September

Celebration on the Grand - Sep. 7-8, 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.

Hispanic Festival - Sep. 7-9, Grand Rapids - The 35th 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. 7-15, Allegan - In addition to midway rides, games and food, national musical acts like KISS, Motley Crue and Luke Bryan 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.

Michigan Irish Music Festival - Sep. 14-16, 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. 14-16, 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.

Eastown Street Fair - Sep. 15, 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.

Salmon Fest - Sep. 21-23, Grand Haven - The outdoor-waterfront festival features live jazz music, Big King Salmon fishing contest, exhibits, wine tasting, grape stomping and much more.