Fun Stuff for Families in August!

August in Royal Oak brings some major events, including the love-it-or-hate-it Woodward Dream Cruise (August 17) and Arts, Beats & Eats (August 30-September 2). If you are in the camp of “let’s just stay and enjoy!,” what can your family look forward to? Check back here in two weeks for a comprehensive “Family Guide” to the Dream Cruise and Arts, Beats & Eats! 

Other than the Big Two of August events, Royal Oak families have a lot of chances for fun this month! Check ‘em out:

Eat, Listen, Laugh

• Royal Oak Corn Roast & Country Fair, Saturday, August 10 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. I took my family to this last year for the first time and we had a blast! The delicious roast corn alone was worth the time, but they also had awesome pie, dunk tanks, a moon walk and an overall relaxed feeling of community and togetherness. There are pie-eating and corn-eating contests, which were hilarious to watch (and are fun for older kids to enter!) and live music as well.
• Royal Oak’s Art Explored Live, Thursday, August 1; Thursday, August 8; and Thursday, August 15, all from 6-9 p.m. on the Royal Oak Library lawn. Get there early for the 6:00 performances by students from the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music, and stay for the other acts. Bring a blanket and some snacks, and enjoy the last Thursdays of summer!
• “Much Ado About Nothing” at Shakespeare in the Park, August 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 1 p.m.; August 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. at Starr Jaycee Park in Royal Oak. Water Works Theater presents a shortened (approximately 1 hour) version of this comedy for just $8 a ticket. “Two lovers - who love to hate each other - fall for the star-crossed prank of their lives in this hilarious misadventure of love and loyalty” set at a modern-day summer camp. You can pre-purchase tickets here. At the show, grab a seat in the “blanket section” (bring your own; you’ll be close to the stage), the “mid-lawn section” (bring a low-to-the-ground lawn chair or beach chair), the “rear lawn” section (bring a higher lawn chair) or the “bleacher section.”  Water Works offers “family-friendly” concessions for sale (note that you are not allowed to bring your own food). Shakespeare in the Park is also presenting “The Merry Wives of Windsor” August 1-11. If it’s date night, mom and dad can purchase beer and wine for sale at “Merry Wives” performances. More details.
  

• Take the family out for a round of golf! From 3-9 p.m. on Sundays at the Marysville Golf Course, 2060 River Rd, Marysville MI, kids 18 and under play for free. Tee time reservations are recommended; call the course at 810-364-4653.  Learn more about the course.
  
• Camp out! On 8/10/2013 12:00 PM - 8/11/2013 12:00 PM. Maybury State Park, 20145 Beck Rd, Northville MI, enjoy a history walk through the park, a fishing program, crafts, campfire, s'mores, and more! No pets, please.  Camp outs are held rain or shine, unless noted on the weather hotline (248.449.9951). 
  
• Tumble! The Tiny Tot Olympics are scheduled for 8/30/2013 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Heritage Park, Heritage Dr, Canton MI. Children ages 2-6 are invited to participate in Gold Medal fun featuring "Olympic" events that are just the right size for them! No per-registration is required, the $3 per participant fee is paid on-site. For more information visit CantonFun.
  
• Go on an Adventure! Check out the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP), for great deals on area attractions. The search function is easy to use and might just lead your family to check out something you hadn’t thought of before! Just put in your zip, how many miles max you are willing to travel, enter your library name, click “Search” and…bam! A list of cool attractions in the area.