Seasonal Features

Published September 8, 2020

Fall programs head outdoors in Rochester Hills

ROCHESTER HILLS — Getting outside is arguably more important now than ever. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rochester Hills Natural Resources Manager Matt Einheuser said park usage has skyrocketed throughout the city.

Published August 25, 2020

Troy Times

Giant sunflower grows above Troy garden

TROY — After growing up on his father’s farm in Italy and then spending several decades gardening on his own, Antonio DiCicco likes to pass the time in his home garden, making a striking sunflower take to the skies.

Jill Jack and the American Songbook, a jazz band, performs at the 22nd annual Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak last year. The event is officially canceled this year, but organizers have maintained a semblance of normalcy with smaller events with heightened health measures.

Published July 27, 2020

Royal Oak Review

Arts, Beats & Eats canceled, but ‘The Beats Go On’

ROYAL OAK — Due to social distancing guidelines and the health threat of COVID-19, Arts, Beats & Eats organizers officially announced the cancellation of the long-standing Labor Day festival July 22.

Published July 21, 2020

Woodward Talk

Ladies Night Out in Berkley to welcome guests with COVID guidelines

BERKLEY — While many cities have had to cancel events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Berkley will be going ahead with one to help promote its downtown businesses.

Farmington residents Alexander, 8, and Cameron Erickson, 6, play a water-based activity from their Farmington Youth Assistance Family camp in a box set in their backyard.

Published July 21, 2020

Farmington Press

Farmington Youth Assistance brings summer camp to doorsteps with new program

FARMINGTON/HILLS — Summer for local kids this year may be a little less exciting than it has been in the past.

Gearheads galvanize for summer’s first ‘garage night’ in Clinton Township

Published July 6, 2020

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Gearheads galvanize for summer’s first ‘garage night’ in Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — One day in 2018, a group of individuals with similar interests and a sense of old or newfound camaraderie gathered to discuss a passion they all shared: cars.

‘Like Little League for mountain biking’

Published July 1, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

Cycling association offers kids a chance to compete on a mountain bike

WEST BLOOMFIELD — West Bloomfield resident Sean Warren is the president and executive director of the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association, which he referred to as “like Little League for mountain biking in Michigan.”

Published June 23, 2020

Woodward Talk

Organizers cancel 2020 Ferndale Pride, DIY Street Fair

FERNDALE — Due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and hoping to support the continued decline of the disease in Michigan, the organizers of the Ferndale Pride festival and the DIY Street Fair have canceled the events for 2020.

Days for use of fireworks extended for Fourth of July

Published June 23, 2020

Troy Times

Days for use of fireworks extended in Troy for Fourth of July

TROY — Fireworks for the nation’s birthday this year will last longer than they have in previous years — following the same rules as last year.

Farmington’s 2020 Rhythms in Riley Park concert series was canceled due to ongoing COVID-19 health and safety concerns. Pictured here are community members gathered at Riley Park listening to one of the Friday night concerts in 2019.

Published June 23, 2020

Farmington Press

Addressing the impacts of canceled summer events in the Farmington area

FARMINGTON/HILLS — By this point in the summer, community members would have perused through almost 100 arts and craft vendors at the 11th annual Art on the Grand fair. Summer concerts series — Stars in the Park, Rhythms in Riley Park and Lunchbeats — would have been entertaining live music lovers Wednesday afternoons, and Thursday and Friday nights.

Published June 9, 2020

Troy Times

Outdoor pools, playgrounds reopen post-shutdown in Troy

TROY — It was a late and wonky start, but the COVID-19 pandemic has finally eased enough to allow for summer to begin.

Published June 9, 2020

Southfield Sun

Southfield, Lathrup Village cancel summer programs

SOUTHFIELD/LATHRUP VILLAGE — It was not an easy decision, according to local officials, but summer programming in both Southfield and Lathrup Village has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michelle Sand leads an outdoor fitness class during which participants were asked to keep socially distant from one another. The class size was limited, but now that outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed, the Parks and Recreation Department hopes to offer more class options until the Senior Activity Center can reopen.

Published June 5, 2020

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Summer fun looks different in 2020 in St. Clair Shores

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Summertime traditions will be different in 2020, but the St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation director says that doesn’t mean there still aren’t opportunities to have fun.

Published June 4, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Outdoor pools, playgrounds reopen post-shutdown

OAKLAND COUNTY — It was a late and wonky start, but the COVID-19 pandemic has finally eased enough to allow for summer to begin.

Published June 4, 2020

Madison - Park News

Madison Heights cancels summer programming lineup

MADISON HEIGHTS — All city-run events and recreation programs are canceled in Madison Heights up through Labor Day (Sept. 7) as a safety precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.

Published May 22, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Park parks open this weekend, but activities limited

GROSSE POINTE PARK — The COVID-19 pandemic means Grosse Pointe Park residents won’t be able to enjoy many amenities at their parks over the Memorial Day weekend.

Published May 21, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

War Memorial to offer video tribute to fallen heroes this Memorial Day

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — This year would have marked the 71st annual Memorial Day service on the back lawn of The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, but as with so many other important traditions, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced its cancellation.

Published May 20, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

Pier Park in Grosse Pointe Farms offering limited recreation over Memorial Day weekend

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — If the weather is warm, the pool at Pier Park in Grosse Pointe Farms is typically teeming with families cooling off as they enjoy the unofficial start to summer over Memorial Day weekend.

Published April 20, 2020

Sterling Heights Sentry

Sterling cancels more events due to coronavirus

STERLING HEIGHTS — The coronavirus behind the COVID-19 disease is continuing to empty event calendars in Sterling Heights.

Harper Woods to get in the spirit for Earth Day anniversary

Published March 13, 2020

Advertiser Times

Harper Woods to get in the spirit for Earth Day anniversary

HARPER WOODS — For the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, Harper Woods residents will once again be going out into the community to clean up their town.