As the summer sets in, local organizations and businesses are celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary. From parades to art fairs, here are 10 events taking place throughout Ann Arbor this July.
July 4: Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K
Ann Arbor residents can kick off the Fourth of July with a 5K race downtown. Participants have the option to walk, run or ruck — which requires competitors to carry a weighted backpack. Attendees can also register for the hot dog eating division of the 5K race, where runners will eat four hot dogs in 76 seconds before beginning the race, or the flag carrying division, where participants carry a 3×5 American flag during their trek.
When: Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 7:45 a.m., and participants may sign-up ahead of time online.
Where: Downtown Ann Arbor; route begins at the intersection of South Fourth Avenue and East Liberty Street
Price: $60.80 for most adult divisions, with most kids divisions at no-cost if accompanied by a paid adult.
July 4: Jaycees’ Parade and Firefighter’s Spray Park
Floats, marching bands and dancers take over the streets of downtown Ann Arbor in this annual Fourth of July parade hosted by the Ann Arbor Jaycees. After the parade, the Ann Arbor Fire Department shows off their fire engine hoses with a spray park outside the Maynard Street parking structure, allowing children and families to run through the water to cool off
When: The parade runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the spray park beginning afterward.
Where: Downtown Ann Arbor; route begins at the intersection of South State Street and East William Street; spray park takes place at Maynard Street parking structure, 324 Maynard St.
Price: Free
July 4: Celebrate America 250 at Cobblestone Farm
Cobblestone Farm is offering a blast from the past celebration to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event features a reading of the Declaration of Independence, cabin tours and traditional Celtic music by the local band Nutshell.
When: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard St.
Price: Free
July 5-9: Classic Arcade Week
The Ann Arbor District Library is allowing residents to test and play with 20 vintage arcade game machines, including classic titles such as NBA Jam, Asteroids, Q*bert and Donkey Kong. The event will include a high-score tournament which will take place Thursday to determine the best vintage video gamer in Ann Arbor.
When: 12 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ann Arbor District Library Warehouse, 265 Parkland Plaza
Price: Free
July 10: 30th Annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show
Vintage car owners will be displaying their rides for attendees of the city’s annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show. More than 300 cars will be on display throughout Main Street, Liberty Street and Washington Street.
When: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Ann Arbor, Main Street, Liberty Street and Washington Street.
Price: Free
July 11: Bicentennial Park Splash Pad Celebration
Following the opening of the Bicentennial Park splash pad this summer, the city is celebrating the new landmark with activities featuring Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, joined by former Olympian Kelly Salchow MacArthur and former Paralympian Michelle Konkoly. The splash pad includes the city’s first permanent sign honoring local Olympians and Paralympians. In the evening, the park will show a family-friendly movie titled “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.”
When: Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; movie starting at 9:15 p.m.
Where: Bicentennial Park, 2901 E. Ellsworth Road
Price: Free
July 15: Paint the Town Block pARTy
The Guild of Artists and Artisans is hosting Paint the Town Block pARTy in preparation for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. During the event, residents can take advantage of local road closures to create chalk art on the street alongside local artist David Zinn. The event will also feature live music from DJ Batz, Ain’t Dead Yet and Whoa Silent Disco.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: South Main Street and East Liberty Street
Price: Free
July 16-18: Ann Arbor Art Fair
The self-proclaimed “largest juried art fair” in the country, the Ann Arbor Art Fair annually showcases almost 1,000 artists and spans 30 blocks of downtown. The fair combines three separate expositions into one cohesive event, with tents offering paintings, pottery, fabrics and jewelry for purchase.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Downtown Ann Arbor
Price: Free
July 26: New York International Children’s Film Festival
This event is a screening of animated, live-action and documentary films featured at New York International Children’s Film Festival. The curated film screenings at the Michigan Theater provide viewing times tailored to both younger and older children, followed by films celebrating the Latinx community and LGBTQ+ pride.
When: Screenings begin at 11 a.m.
Where: Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.
Price: $11.75 for general admission
July 31-August 2: Ann Arbor Taco Fest
The Ann Arbor Taco Fest celebrates Mexican-American cuisine with food and festivities for attendees of all ages. The event includes more than 30 taco trucks, taco and hot pepper eating contests and lucha libre wrestling.
When: Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road
Price: Tickets starting at $8
Daily News Editor Dominic Apap can be reached at dapap@umich.edu.
