September is a busy month around the Ann Arbor area, with events scheduled across Milan, Dexter, Ypsilanti, and more! Whether you’re a sports fanatic or you’d prefer to peruse town and visit vendor markets, there’s a little bit of something for everyone this month. Check out the array of show cars at the Cruise-In Car Show in Ypsilanti or support Agriculture Day in Saline.

Arts + Culture

First Fridays Ypsilanti | Ypsilanti

76 North Huron Street
September 6th

First Fridays are Ypsilanti’s monthly celebration of community and culture! Friends, neighbors, and newcomers can all come together to mingle and connect. Everyone is invited and there will be family-friendly activities, so make sure to get the kids excited! Head over to the Frog Island Movie Night, which is featuring The Lorax on Friday the 6th at 8:27 PM. Other First Friday events include wine tasting and cheese board snacks at The Newton, a rummage sale at The Back Office Studio, and a teen-driven end-of-summer concert at the Ypsilanti District Library!

A2 Gallery Nights in Kerrytown | Ann Arbor

117 East Ann Street
September 18th

On the 3rd Wednesday of the month, join four galleries in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown for special activities! September’s gallery night is the second-to-last opportunity to enjoy this community event, so make the most of it! These evenings were created to complement the Ann Arbor Farmers Market Food Truck Rallies, which are also located in Kerrytown and take place on the same nights. All activities are open to the public from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Each gallery will host a rotating roster of artist presentations, demonstrations, fun pop-ups, and special appearances. Participating galleries include Chris Nordin Studios, Gutman Gallery, Kerrytown Concert House, and WSG Gallery.

Milan 3rd Thursdays | Milan

89 Wabash Street
September 19th

You won’t want to miss 3rd Thursdays in Milan! This month, enjoy live music by the Y-Town Hoolies and food and drink options such as Smac and Cheese, serving up gourmet and customizable cheesy goodness. Attendees can also sample the delicious hot dogs from Funky Dawgs, complete with Great Lakes chips and Faygo soda. Kids and adults alike will love a sweet treat from Kona Ice, perfect for a hot day. Other offerings at September’s 3rd Thursday include a special temporary tattoo event by Ink & Dye, Jr. and special deals from Bel Viso Aesthetics, such as $50 off of the facial trio package or 15% off when you buy two or more select skin care products. The marketplace will include items such as handcrafted home decor and gifts, indoor houseplants, 3D prints, crocheted plushies, and sewn items and jewelry! There will also be a children’s entrepreneur market, featuring things made and sold by kids.

Community Celebrations

Saline Community Fair “Agriculture Day” | Saline

5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road
September 1st

The 2024 Saline Community Fair is kicking off early with pre-fair events on August 26th and 27th, including goat judging and exhibits. September 1st is dubbed “Agriculture Day” with compact tractor pulls, comedy and magic shows, a car and tractor showcase, llama exhibitions, and a beer barn! There will be a USA autocross championship derby at the Grandstand, as well as a taste of agriculture event. If you love all things reptilian, you won’t want to miss out on the Muxlow Reptile Show at 3:00 PM. Admission prices begin at $10 for ages 11 and up, with season passes starting at $30 per person if you plan on attending multiple days of the fair. If you have kids, make sure to take advantage of the daily carnival ride armbands, with unlimited rides being priced at $25 per day.

Cruise-In Car Show | Ypsilanti

1846 Michigan Avenue
September 4th

Have a car you want to show off? The Cruise-In Car Show in Ypsilanti welcomes all years, makes, and models. No restrictions! Awards will be handed out at 7:30 PM for the club’s choice and people’s choice winners and there will also be a 50/50 raffle for one lucky winner. The car show is also putting on a food drive, which gathers donations on behalf of Food Gatherers. These cruise-in shows are hosted every month on the first Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. As always, there are no registration fees so just come on out and enjoy meeting like-minded car enthusiasts! Hosted by Ratchets & Wrenches, these community gatherings are a great way to meet new people and catch up with familiar faces.

Ann Arbor Pagan Pride | Ann Arbor

4800 East Huron River Drive
September 14th

Join the community on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in September for a fun and enlightening day packed with classes, workshops, and vendors. Pagan Pride Day is an all-day affair, kicking off at 11:00 AM. The Pagan Pride Project is a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs through education, activism, charity, and community events. Following last year’s schedule, attendees can expect classes such as Storytelling in Divination, Journeying Through the Dimensions, and How to Combat Anxiety. If you want to get involved, there are volunteering opportunities at the pride day, as well as an open call for eligible vendors and presenters. The event also collects food donations onsite. 

A²Zero Green Fair | Ann Arbor

Main Street from Willam to Huron
September 20th

This annual event helps to educate the public about all the ways Ann Arbor and local partners are advancing sustainability and how everyone can take steps to decrease their carbon footprint. The 2024 Green Fair is returning to Downtown Ann Arbor and is set to feature over 80 exhibitors who can provide information on energy waste reduction, renewable energy, local food systems, and more. There will be live music with the Vicissitones, as well as a Bike Parade for the Planet event at 6:00 PM. Test your climate action knowledge at the A²Zero trivia booth and remember to bring a blank cotton t-shirt for a sustainable screen-printed design!

Webster Fall Festival | Dexter

5484 Webster Church Road
September 28th

Are you ready for an afternoon of good old-fashioned family fun? The Webster Fall Festival is a favorite amongst many, with free admission and musical performances that are sure to keep the whole family on their feet. This year’s schedule of events includes a rummage sale, local artist displays, blacksmithing demonstrations, and hay rides! Make sure to work up an appetite, because you won’t be able to resist coffee, apple cider, donuts, pulled pork, hot dogs, and more. Children will get a kick out of the farm animals at the petting zoo and the lineup of kid’s activities, including baseball games that are played by the rules of 1860! Don’t miss out on the sheep herding or the wool spinning demonstration, which can give attendees insight into how life used to be back in the day!

Sports

Annual Chamber Golf Outing | Chelsea

1175 South Main Street
September 4th

The Annual Chamber Golf Outing will be held at the Pierce Lake Golf Course in nearby Chelsea this September 4th. Not only is this a great opportunity to network with local business owners, but you’ll also be able to practice your swing. Golfers at this sporting event can participate in the 8:00 AM registration and breakfast, catered by The Lakehouse Bakery and Biggby Coffee. A shotgun round follows at 9:00 AM. Lunch is sponsored and provided by Silver Maples of Chelsea and dinner will be from Smokehouse 52 BBQ to accompany the award ceremony and prize drawings. Rounds of golf are priced at $125 for individuals and $500 for a team of four, so get your golf buddies together and enjoy this awesome networking event. Don’t golf? No problem! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities that can still get you involved in the action.

Michigan Wolverines Vs. Texas Longhorn | Ann Arbor

1201 South Main Street
September 7th

Watch as the Michigan Wolverines take on the Texas Longhorn on September 7th at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Snag your tickets ASAP while there is still availability! The game is scheduled for earlier in the day at 10:00 AM, making this a great opportunity to enjoy a daytime football match with the whole family! Later on in the month, Michigan takes on AR State, USC, and Minnesota. For game days, there are numerous parking options around the stadium. Many lots are permit-only, so keep an eye out. Football parking lots open between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM on game day and attendees will need to vacate lots within 2 hours of the game ending.

Breakthrough T1D Walk | Dexter

8801 North Territorial Road
September 29th

Want to get outdoors for a good cause this month? The Breakthrough T1D Walk, formerly JDRF, is scheduled for 9:00 AM on September 29th. Head over to the Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter and walk the 3 mile long route. This is the world’s largest fundraising and community-building event for the Type 1 Diabetes community and participants can feel good about a movement that aims to improve life with T1D and advance the breakthroughs that can be life-changing for those with this autoimmune disease. Register for the walk today to join the community in taking action! So far, there has been over $20,000 raised as part of a $302,500 goal.

Food + Drink 

Ann Arbor Farmers Market Food Truck Rally | Ann Arbor

315 Detroit Street
September 18th

On every third Wednesday from July through October, come on out to enjoy the 2024 food truck rally season. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste a variety of food and support local restaurants and chefs. Aside from the food trucks, there will also be carts, pop-ups, and live music from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM after Wednesday’s farmers market. Make an evening of it and enjoy dinner, drinks, and desserts while you jam out to some live tunes. Attendees can expect a selection of approximately 20 food trucks and vendors serving up Italian delights, Mexican fare, sweet treats, fried favorites, and more.

Ann Arbor Russian Festival | Dexter

9900 Jackson Road
September 21st & 22nd

Save the date for this year’s Ann Arbor Russian Festival! This two-day event is a great way to get acquainted with a different culture, all while enjoying fun live music, dancing, and even church tours! There will be an opening ceremony that consists of a Russian bell ringing and a tearoom with authentic Russian sweets. Kids will enjoy a designated area where they can jump in the bounce house, play on the playground and enjoy activities such as coloring and games. Of course, there will be ice cream available as well! Food options at the festival include crepes, pork and chicken shish kabobs, borscht, Russian cabbage salad, and a variety of soups and other traditional Russian and Slavic delicacies. Admission to the fest is free and there will be complimentary parking available as well.

3rd Annual Ann Arbor Local Food Festival | Ann Arbor

315 Detroit Street
September 26th

This free public festival celebrates the beauty and bounty of Michigan’s abundant culinary and agricultural landscapes. The fest is set to be held at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market this September, bringing together farmers, food artisans, chefs, restaurateurs, and of course — eaters! Attendees will have the chance to sample diverse flavors and locally produced foods, all while they get to interact face-to-face with producers and makers. The event is family-friendly, so bring the kids along. There will be an array of interactive activities, as well as live music, games, and treats galore. Try your hand at the “compost toss” for a chance to win fun prizes!

Happy September! 

Take advantage of all the exciting events, activities, and community gatherings happening around the Ann Arbor area this September! Whether you’re most looking forward to Michigan Wolverine football or the Webster Fall Festival in Dexter — mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on all the fun.