This week in Mid-Michigan belongs to the Fowlerville Family Fair. The 140th edition of this Livingston County tradition runs all week long with harness racing, demolition derbies, carnival rides, and the kind of classic county fair atmosphere that defines Michigan summer. Add in a run of major shows at Pine Knob, Ben Folds at Saginaw's historic Temple Theatre, and free concerts on the banks of the Shiawassee River and the Linden Mill Pond, and there is no shortage of reasons to get out and enjoy the week.
We have grouped everything by type so you can scan, plan, and go. For deeper seasonal ideas, check out our guide to the best farmers markets, our lake beaches roundup, and our annual community events calendar.
Fairs & Festivals
140th Annual Fowlerville Family Fair
The Fowlerville Family Fair returns for its 140th year — a full week of carnival rides, 4-H livestock shows, blue-ribbon competitions, home arts exhibits, and grandstand events that define a classic Michigan county fair. This week's grandstand lineup includes Harness Racing (Monday 4 PM and Tuesday 11 AM), American Freestyle Bullfighting (Tuesday 7 PM), the USA Demolition Derby (Wednesday 7:30 PM), and the Thumb Tractor Pull (Thursday). Monday admission is free. With free parking and a $5 gate fee, this is one of the best entertainment values of the summer — bring the whole family and spend a day experiencing small-town fair tradition at its finest.
Fowlerville Fairgrounds, 8800 W Grand River Ave, Fowlerville, MI 48836 · fowlervillefamilyfair.com
Concerts & Live Music
NE-YO & AKON: Nights Like This Tour at Pine Knob
Two of R&B and hip-hop's biggest stars share the Pine Knob Music Theatre stage on Wednesday night for the Nights Like This Tour. NE-YO's catalog of chart-topping hits and AKON's unmistakable vocal style make for a double-bill that spans two decades of popular music. Pine Knob's outdoor amphitheater is the perfect setting for this kind of summer concert — warm evening air, a cold drink in hand, and back-to-back anthems under the stars. Also this week at Pine Knob: 311 & Dirty Heads: So Glad You Made It Tour on Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 PM.
Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Dr, Clarkston, MI 48348 · pineknobamp.com
Ben Folds at The Temple Theatre
Ben Folds brings his solo piano show to Saginaw's beautifully restored Temple Theatre on Thursday night. Known for his witty songwriting, virtuosic piano work, and engaging stage presence, Folds in an intimate theater setting is a completely different experience from an outdoor amphitheater show. The Temple Theatre, with its historic architecture and excellent acoustics, is one of the best venues in the region to see it. This is a perfect date-night or night-out-with-friends event in the heart of downtown Saginaw.
Temple Theatre, 203 N Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607 · templetheatre.com
Free Outdoor Concert Series Across Mid-Michigan
Some of the best live music this week costs exactly zero dollars. Here is where to find free concerts across the region:
- Music by the Mill: Sailing with the Yacht Club · Wednesday, July 29 · 7:00 PM · Linden Mill Pond, Linden · Free. Bring a blanket and enjoy yacht-rock classics beside the water.
- In the Park Summer Concert Series · Wednesday, July 29 · 7:00 PM · Shain Park, downtown Birmingham · Free. Family-friendly live music with food trucks on site.
- Downtown Owosso Summer Concert Series: Midday Sun · Thursday, July 30 · 7:00 PM · Mitchell Amphitheater, Owosso · Free. Live music on the banks of the Shiawassee River.
- Concerts at the Courthouse: Toppermost (Beatles Tribute) · Friday, July 31 · 7:00 PM · Livingston County Courthouse Amphitheater, Howell · Free. A Beatles tribute to close out the week.
- FIA Patio Nights · Fridays through August · Flint Institute of Arts, Flint · Free. Live music, food and drink specials on the patio.
- Toons at Noon Festival · Weekdays through August 14 · Willson Park, UM-Flint · Free. Live music during lunch hours.
- Music in the Park · Friday, July 31 · Depot Park, Clarkston · Free. Live music in downtown Clarkston's scenic park setting.
Clio Amphitheater Summer Tribute Series
The Clio Amphitheater's Summer Tribute Series continues on Tuesday, July 28, with a tribute to classic rock acts including Creedence Clearwater Revival. This free outdoor concert series is a Genesee County favorite — the amphitheater setting, the lawn seating, and the all-ages crowd make for a relaxed and welcoming summer evening. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the show under the open sky.
Clio Amphitheater, Clio, MI 48420 · exploreflintandgenesee.org
Community Gatherings
Howell Opera House Art Workshops
The Howell Opera House hosts two art workshops running all week long — a morning session (9:30–11:30 AM) and an afternoon session (1:00–3:00 PM), including a Gelli Printing Workshop for those interested in a creative and hands-on printmaking experience. It is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon in downtown Howell, especially if you are visiting for the Concerts at the Courthouse on Friday night and want to make a full day of it. Check the Opera House calendar for pricing and registration.
Howell Opera House, 123 W Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 · howelloperahouse.com
Farmers Markets
Late July is when Michigan produce is at its absolute peak — sweet corn, blueberries, tomatoes, summer squash, and cut flowers are all coming in strong. Here are the markets worth a visit this week.
Flint Farmers' Market
The Flint Farmers' Market at 300 E. 1st Street remains the anchor market of the region — open three days a week with regional produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and artisan products. July is peak season: look for local sweet corn, blueberries, vine-ripened tomatoes, and cut flowers from nearby growers. The market also has a cafe and prepared food vendors, making it a great lunch stop on a Thursday or Saturday visit.
300 E 1st St, Flint, MI 48502 · flintfarmersmarket.com
Howell Sunday Farmers' Market
The Howell Sunday Farmers' Market at 112 N State St is a Sunday tradition in downtown Howell — local produce, fresh bakery, honey, and artisan goods in a charming historic setting. A perfect stop before or after a morning visit to the Fowlerville Family Fair.
112 N State St, Howell, MI 48843 · downtownhowell.org
Downtown Brighton Farmers Market
The Downtown Brighton Farmers Market runs every Saturday in the heart of Brighton's walkable downtown. Local produce, artisan goods, baked treats, and flowers from regional growers fill the market each week. Grab a coffee from a nearby cafe and wander the stalls before the summer heat sets in.
Downtown Brighton, MI · brightonmainstreets.org
This Week at a Glance
The Bottom Line
This is county fair week in Mid-Michigan. The 140th Fowlerville Family Fair anchors the calendar with seven days of carnival rides, harness racing, demolition derbies, and the kind of wholesome community entertainment that generations of Michigan families have grown up with. And the fair is just the headliner — Pine Knob brings NE-YO, AKON, and 311 with Dirty Heads across two nights, Ben Folds gives an intimate piano performance at Saginaw's Temple Theatre, and free concerts echo across parks from Linden's Mill Pond to Howell's courthouse lawn to the banks of the Shiawassee River in Owosso.
These are the weeks that define a Michigan summer. Whether you are watching a demolition derby at the fair, catching a Beatles tribute under the stars in Howell, or simply filling your market bag with sweet corn and blueberries at a Saturday farmers market — the region is alive with community energy.
If you are new to the area or thinking about a move, getting out to events like these is the best way to experience a community's character. Walk through a fair midway, watch a free concert in a small-town park, or spend a Saturday morning at a farmers market. You will learn more about what makes a place home in one afternoon than from any website.
Published by Joyce England, REALTOR® with Keller Williams First. Joyce helps people find their community in Mid-Michigan.
Joyce England, REALTOR®
Keller Williams First · Helping people find their community in Mid-Michigan. With 20+ years of local real estate experience across Genesee, Oakland, Livingston, and surrounding counties, Joyce knows these communities inside and out.
