Fireworks, hot temps and the smell of barbecue wafting through the neighborhood -- love 'em or hate 'em, these are all signs that it's almost July in Royal Oak! Here is a selection of family-friendly stuff to do this month in the RO area. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments!
Rock Out!
Summertime concerts can be great for families with little ones who don't love to sit still in a chair for a few hours. We took in the October Babies performance at the Ann Arbor Summer Fest, and our little guy loved jumping around on the lawn, watching bigger kids run around, and eating snacks. Some fun performances this month:
- As mentioned, our little guy loved October Babies in Ann Arbor, and they'll be playing on the lawn of the Detroit Institute of Arts on July 5 at 5 p.m. as part of the annual Concert of Colors. October Babies is a super-energetic group based in Michigan that infuses the lead singer's Japanese language and culture into some of the music. Check out one of their songs here!
- Head over to the Detroit Zoo any Wednesday this month for their free (with zoo membership or zoo admission. Zoo admission is $6 after 6 p.m.) Wild Summer Nights concert series! Performances are held at the main picnic grove (pretty close to the main entrance, near the butterfly house) from 6:30-8 p.m. If the tots get tired of dancing, you can still walk around the zoo. Often the animals are a little more active on these summer evenings, so you'll get entertainment either way! All of the performances are family-friendly, but July 10 and July 31 feature child-oriented bands Joe Reilly and the Community Gardeners (July 10) and The Verve Pipe (July 31 -- this one is a great treat for those of us who loved them as an alternative band back in the '90s!)
- Looking for a lunchtime option? The City of Southfield features "Eat to the Beat" free concerts one Thursday a month throughout the summer at their City Centre Plaza from noon-2 p.m. Check it out on July 11!
- Added 7/2/13: Royal Oak Commission for the Arts launches its Summer Concert Series on July 11, with performances July 11, 18 and 25 (as well as August 1, 8 and 15) on the Royal Oak Public Library lawn. Each event opens up with performances from the Detroit School of Rock and Pop and segues into other fun options. Check out the whole lineup here!
A dinner out is nice, but can be a little stressful with the whole family. Food truck rallies at the Royal Oak Farmers Market provide a casual environment where you can try yummy bites from area food truck vendors. The next one is July 10 from 5-9 p.m. Get there early -- the lines can get long! My faves are the pork belly tacos from El Guapo and frozen treats from Treat Dreams. There is musical entertainment and last time someone brought a box of sidewalk chalk, creating a fun activity for the many kiddos in attendance!
All Aboard!
Looking for something fun for your little train fan? You can't miss the Great Lakes Live Steamers at the Starr-Jaycee Park in Royal Oak! They're out the first weekend of each month (so July 6 and 7), weather permitting (their website details what "weather permitting" means, and provides a status phone number you can call to verify if they'll be out on the tracks). Kiddos of all ages can ride aboard a miniature train. Donations are welcome, and the GLLS also sell souvenirs (including engineer hats and train whistles).
Hit the Field!
A little ways outside our city, but well worth the travel if you have soccer enthusiasts in your house, you can find the high-spirited Detroit City Football Club playing down in Detroit. Upcoming home games are July 13, 14 and 17. The "fan section" can get pretty rowdy (especially during evening games) but there's plenty of room in the stands to stake out your own space and cheer on an awesome team. The team spirit from the fans is infectious!
Shop and See!
July 13 and 14 will be busy in the RO with the Outdoor Art Fair and the Annual Garage Sale happening at the same time. The Outdoor Art Fair is held in Memorial Park and features over 100 artists. Food and beverage vendors are usually on hand, and there is a playground right at the park!
The Garage Sale is held in the Center Street Parking Garage and is $2 for shoppers over age 12. There is always an interesting variety of items to browse!
What other fun stuff is happening in Royal Oak this July?
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