Michigan has a great lineup of events this weekend with food, music, and unique happenings in every corner of the state.

Highlights include a massive celebration of Mexican culture in Grand Rapids, a potato festival Up North, blues and BBQ in Metro Detroit, and much more.

As always, I’d love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you’d like me to highlight,
please send me a note here (suggestions should be submitted at least one week before the event).

Detroit City Council to explore energy alternatives (WXYZ): The Detroit City Council has unanimously voted to study how other cities have diversified their energy sources and strengthened their power infrastructure after a tornado left thousands of residents without electricity for days.

NCAA says it can’t overturn U-M win following appeal (AP News): The NCAA has rejected the Mid-American Conference’s request to overturn Michigan’s 13-12 win over Western Michigan after a controversial replay ruling gave the Wolverines an extra second to attempt a Hail Mary. The MAC argued the replay protocol was not followed, but the NCAA said its rules do not allow the result to be changed after the game ends. The NCAA says it will establish a “standard timing protocol” for consistency across college football games.

Thousands of Michiganders receive misprinted IDs (ABC 12): Michigan officials say 8,200 residents received enhanced driver’s licenses and state IDs with a stock photo and incorrect birthdate printed on them due to a printing error. Corrected cards have already been mailed, and affected residents can use temporary IDs while they wait.

Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)

West Michigan

🍖 Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple and BBQ Festival

Sept. 11-12

Golden Township Park (8711 W. Silver Lake Road, Mears)

“Bring your appetite — and your bib — to the sizzling Apple BBQ Festival in Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan! This annual fall event near Hart in Oceana County kicks off autumn with two unforgettable days of live music, a lively beer tent, mouthwatering BBQ, and freshly baked apple pies. Explore 140+ arts and crafts vendors, enjoy family-friendly activities, and admire classic cars on display at one of the top Silver Lake Sand Dunes attractions.”

💃 Fiesta Mexicana 2026

Sept. 11-13

Calder Plaza (320 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids)

“Three days. Calder Plaza. Mariachi from the main stage, folklórico in the street, forty-some vendors, and El Grito on Saturday night. Bring the family.”

Northern Michigan/UP

🎆 2026 International Fireworks Championship

Sept. 11-12

Turtle Creek Stadium (333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City)

“Watch the night sky become transformed into a canvas of colors and shapes in Traverse City, MI. SIX teams, TWO nights of amazing shows!”

🍻 UP Fall Beer Festival

Sept. 11-13

Mattson Lower Harbor Park (200 N. Lakeshore Blvd., Marquette)

“Your ticket includes entry into the festival, live music, and a sample cup to sample beer from some of the state’s best breweries.”

Mid/South Michigan

🍻 Lansing Oktoberfest

Sept. 11-12

Adado Riverfront Park (201 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing)

“Lansing Oktoberfest is all ages and welcome to all! The event features Imported German Beer, Food, Games and Live Music.”

🚘 Frankenmuth Auto Fest

Sept. 11-13

601 Weiss St., Frankenmuth

“Join us for the Annual Frankenmuth Auto Fest, a 3-day event full of food, fun, music, and cars. It started years ago in the St. Lorenz Parking Lot. Over the years, it grew into an event with over 150,000 people visiting. Friday night is the Big Block Party on Main Street. It is welcome to all ages of show cars to park up and down the streets of Main Street. We have live bands playing different types of music all-night-long. Saturday is a day full of cars with over 2500 classic cars registered each year. Sunday, we end the show with another car show, an award ceremony, and a tribute to the Veterans. Fun for all ages.”

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

🍎 60th Art & Apples Festival

Sept. 11-13

Rochester Municipal Park (400 6th St., Rochester)

“Since 1965, the Art & Apples Festival® has transformed the 30-acre Rochester Municipal Park into one of the nation’s top fine art fairs, bringing together 200+ fine art exhibitors, a wide range of food trucks and tents, stage entertainment and art demonstrations, and art activity stations for the three-day weekend.”

🐈 Dally in the Alley

Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Cass Corridor, Detroit

“A street fair held in the Cass Corridor, Detroit, on the Saturday after Labor Day since 1978. Sponsorship-free and run by volunteers from the North Cass Community Union, this one-day event features local music, food, beer, art, vendors, and a kids fair.”

You have questions about data centers … we have answers.

Artificial intelligence is driving a new wave of industrial development statewide. The ’Gander mapped the data centers that are proposed, approved, under construction, or already online in Michigan.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega and edited by Crystal Niforos.

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