The 13 Essential Ann Arbor Area Events to Attend May 2018
April showers bring May flowers — and festivals! Though summer doesn’t officially start until June, our neighboring towns are already celebrating the warmer weather with outdoor events including car shows, art walks, fairs, 5Ks and river days.
We rounded up the can’t-miss events happening in May 2018 so you don’t miss a thing. Read more about them below, find links to tickets and registration, and get ready for an unforgettable spring!
Arts + Culture
Show & Shine Car Show | Ypsilanti
May 6, 9 a.m. | Riverside Park
This car show brings an eclectic mix of unrestored, restored, and modified cars and trucks to Ypsilanti. For spectators, the gates open at 9 a.m. and admission is just a $2 donation!
Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival | Ann Arbor
May 10 – 16, various times | Michigan Theater
Now in its 17th year, the Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival explores the global Jewish experience through the art of filmmaking. Though originally a satellite of the Lenore Marwil Film Festival in metro Detroit, this Ann Arbor event is now an independent festival run by a committee of volunteers. Each year, they present discussions, film screenings and other fascinating programs for film and art lovers of all kinds.
Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Festival | Ypsilanti
May 19 – 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Riverside Park
Now in its 31st year, this car show celebrates all variations of Volkswagens. If you have a vehicle to display, you can pay $15 at the gate, but spectators can enter for just $5 on the day of the festival. Don’t miss the Slow Slalom Course on Saturday!
Westside Art Hop | Ann Arbor
May 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Old West Side
Westside Art Hop is presented as Michigan’s quirkiest Art Walk. The twice-yearly event showcases high-quality arts and crafts for sale to the public in a festive atmosphere. While exploring the West Side, you can peruse artworks, meet the artists and perhaps find a piece for your home!
Cinetopia Film Festival | Ann Arbor
May 31 – June 10, various times | Various locations
Specially curated for the community of Southeast Michigan, Cinetopia features the best feature-length dramas, comedies and documentaries shown at the world’s best film festivals, including SXSW, Sundance and more. Outside of screenings, special pre- and post-film events include presentations, discussion panels, and Q&A sessions with directors, writers and stars.
Community Celebrations
Ypsilanti Proud | Ypsilanti
May 19, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Various locations
Ypsilanti Proud began as a class project by the 1995 graduating class of Leadership Ypsilanti. Now celebrating its 23rd year, the event fosters community pride and encourages local business growth through simple beautification projects. Join more than 500 volunteers on May 19th and help clean up litter, paint and plant flowers!
Huron River Day | Ann Arbor
May 20, 1 – 5 p.m. | Gallup Park
Huron River Day is an afternoon full of free, family-friendly river activities at Gallup Park. Attractions will include live music, a butterfly house from the Michigan Native Butterfly Farm, a Classic Small Boat Show, a performance by the Aviary Circus, live animals from the Leslie Science & Nature Center, and so much more!
Milan Fair | Milan
May 31 – June 2, various times | Wilson Park
In 2018, Milan Fair highlights include a carnival, a parade, an artisan market, fireworks, kids’ activities, and an entertainment tent that will feature karaoke and live music. Entry to the Fair is free, but you will need to purchase $1 tickets for rides. Or, opt for an unlimited pass available each day for $20 – 22.
Sports
Ann Arbor Goddess 5K and Mile Fun Run | Ann Arbor
May 13, 8 – 11 a.m. | 200 East Liberty Street
This Mother’s Day event includes pre-race yoga with Breathe Yoga, pre-race Zumba with Bodies by Wade, a Kids’ Dash, a 5K race, and a one-mile fun run. As a celebration of all the women in our community, you can run individually or run as a couple in the Mother-Daughter category, or invite your grandma to run in the Three Generations of Women category! Get all the details and registration info here.
Walk & Wag 2018 | Ypsilanti
May 19, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Rolling Hills County Park
Hosted by Humane Society of Huron Valley, this fundraising event assists in the rescue and care of the most vulnerable animals in our community. Bring your family and your pup on race day to enjoy a 5K run or a one-mile walk, as well as games and fun for everyone!
The Probility Ann Arbor Marathon | Ann Arbor
May 20, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | The Big House
Whether you’re walking your first 5K or running your tenth marathon, this Epic Races event offers something for everyone. Beginning just outside the University of Michigan Stadium, each course winds through downtown Ann Arbor and through the University of Michigan campus. Longer races will also traverse stretches of the Huron River, Gallup Park and Nichols Arboretum before returning to downtown. Get all the details and choose your distance here.
Food + Drink
UMS Ovation | Ann Arbor
May 5, 5:30 p.m. | Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building
In celebration of the Kentucky Derby, this annual event invites people of the community to enjoy mint juleps and craft cocktails, a strolling dinner, artistic displays and auction items — all benefitting UMS Education and Community Engagement programs! Tickets are $250 per person with additional sponsorship opportunities available as well.
Camp Bacon | Ann Arbor
May 30 – June 3, various times | Various locations
Photo courtesy of Jen Prouty Photography via Zingerman’s Camp Bacon
As one of Southeast Michigan’s favorite annual events, Camp Bacon brings together food lovers, historians and community members for five days of fun. While tasting plenty of bacon and bacon-inspired foods, you’ll learn the story behind that bacon from guest speakers and chefs.
The main event is set for Saturday, June 2nd at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, but several other festive events will take place throughout the week, including the Camp Bacon Film Festival, The 9th Annual Bacon Ball, and the Camp Bacon Street Fair! You can view all the events and buy tickets here.
