Dow Gardens Cart Tours

Students looking to take the scenic route have a chance to see the Dow Gardens on a guided cart tour this summer.

Tours are offered at 12:45 p.m., Monday-Friday, and each tour can take up to five passengers.

Located in Midland, it is close to Saginaw and Bay City, and costs $2 per person.

Besides relaxing and enjoying nature, visitors on Wednesday, June 20, can take part in the annual Summer Solstice Stroll from 6-10 p.m. Celebrating the longest day of the year, visitors can stroll though the gardens listening to music, meet some of the artists and end the night with a lighted walk.

6-8 p.m. Haley Ann Dorion will perform easy listening music

7-9 p.m. The Sunshine String Band will be playing Bluegrass Music

7-9 p.m. Meet the Artists. The artists will be throughout the gardens near their art.

9-10 p.m. Luminary Walk in the Dow Gardens

For more information visit dowgardens.org, or to make a tour reservation, call 989-631-2677

Dixie Motor Speedway 2012 Races

Community members looking to get excited about a fast-paced sport could find themselves at the Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run. The speedway opens at 7:30 p.m. and regular races run all summer long. Local and professional racers also compete at premier short-track racing at 7:30 p.m. every Friday night.

For more information, check the Dixie Motor Speedway website at dixiemotorspeedway.com to see a complete racing schedule.

At Dixie Motor Speedway:

June 22: Main Event Racing Series: Great Lakes helicopter Port city Race Cars, “Dixie Cup Series” and Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Bombers and Figure 8’s

July 3: Eve of Destruction and Michigan Legends and fireworks display

July 13: Miller Night at the Races: Dixie Cup Series “47th Annual Dixie Classic 100” and Factory Stocks, Bombers and Figure 8’s

July 20: Christmas in July and Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Bombers and Figure 8’s

July 27: Autograph Night and Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Bombers and Figure 8’s

July 29: ServPro Night, Eve of Destruction, and Michigan Legends

August 3: THE BIG ONE “X” Auto Value Super Sprint Series, ARCA CRA Super Series, and 125 Factory Stocks, Bombers and Autograph Session

August 24: Pro Late Model Championship and Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Bomers and Figure 8’s

Yoga on the Beach

Visiting the beach may be relaxing, but yoga on the beach can be a healthy alternative. Stephanie Wirtz is offering yoga classes, located at the Haithco Recreation Area in Saginaw. The class is $5 per person, per class. The classes will run from 7-8a.m. from June 5-26.

For more information, visit the Saginaw Country Parks website or call Wirtz at 989-790-5280.

Midland Farmers’ Market

Every town has a farmers market, and Midland is no exception. The Farmers’ Market, located in downtown Midland is open from 7 a.m. until noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from May through October.

The market offers a selection of fresh produce, plants and flowers, honey and maple products, baked goods, and homemade jewelry from the local community.

For more information about the market, contact Kristy LeVasseur,  at the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce office at 989-839-9901, or visit macc.org. Tunes by the Tridge

From 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on June 7 through August 2, a popular concert series, Tunes by the Tridge, will continue with 10 weeks of music and fun for the whole family. Next to the local Farmer’s Market in Midland, in the grassy area, local musicians will be playing everything from Christian Rock to Southern Bluegrass music.

For information or a full schedule, visit downtownmidland.com.

Tunes by the Tridge:

Thursday, June 7 – Rusty Wright Band, Blues

Thursday, June 14 – Scott Hozzle Band, Classic Rock/Funk/Ska/Jazz

Thursday, June 21 – Jodi Sasse and Southern Cross, Country/Blues/Southern Rock

Thursday, June 28 – Dave Kellan, Alternative

Thursday, July 5 – Livingstones, Christian

Thursday, July 12 – The Blues Creators Band, Motown

Thursday, July 19 – Bull Honkey Delux, Country Rock

Thursday, July 26 – The Resonators, Percussion

Thursday, August 2 – Battle of the Bands, Christian/Rock

Japanese  Tea Ceremony and Gardens

As a collaborative effort between the City of Saginaw and its sister city Tokushima, Japan, the Japanese Cultural Center and Gardens of Saginaw was created. As one of the most authentic tea houses in North America, it is a welcoming sight to the person looking to experience a different culture without leaving Michigan.

The Japanese Cultural Center says that the tea ceremony fulfills its mission “to promote intercultural understanding and peace through a bowl of tea.”

Tea ceremonies are presented on the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. throughout the year. They are a part of the Tea House tour which includes a cup of green tea and costs $3 per person.

For a private ceremony for a group of at least 10 people on a day of your choice, the cost will be $8 per person. The private ceremony includes an oral presentation about the Japanese Tea Ceremony, Maccha (green) tea, and a Japanese sweet.

The gardens and tours are available through Oct. 30. The gardens are free of charge to visit.

To make a reservation, call 989-759-1648 or visit japaneseculturalcenter.org for more information.

Summer Festival

The annual Summer Music Fest starts in Frankenmuth at 1 p.m. (gates open at 12:30 p.m.) at Heritage Park from August 7 through August 11. From Tuesday-Thursday, admission price is $16 per person and on Friday and Saturday admission price is $18 per person.

The Frankenmuth Music Fest and Drury Hotels invites everyone out to hear the music of SqueezeBox, The Del Sinchank Band, The Knewz Peter Wendinger & The Wendinger Band, Dynatones Downntown Sound, Polka Family, Pan Franek, New Brass Express, Lenny Gomulka, Fred Ziwich, the Marv Herzog Tribute Band, and the Fabulous Hubcaps.

With dancing at 8:30 p.m., visitors have plenty of options.

For a full schedule of events, more information, and discounted admission prices visit frankenmuthfestival.com.