Weekend Planner: Peaches, Beats and Renaissance Treats

Welcome to the long weekend! Give a sigh of relief, you made it! Now it is time to start planning.  

All week, we've been counting down the days until the weekend, giving you options for things to do. Here's a recap:

• Where/When: Downtown Romeo, 121 W. Saint Clair St. Thursday through Monday; check the schedule here for specific events.
• Cost: Tickets are $20 in advance. To purchase tickets, call the Romeo Parks and Recreation Office at 586-752-6543.
• Why go: This Festival has everything a summer festival should offer: beauty queens, arts and crafts, tons of good food, carnival rides and live music. Oh, and peaches, of course.

Ford's Arts, Beats & Eats 

• Where/When: Downtown Royal Oak. The festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Cost: Admission is $3 
• Why go: When they say Arts, Beats & Eats, they are not kidding around. There will be over 250 music acts, over 65 restaurants with food booths in the street and loads of art. The latest Ford vehicles will be on display, along with cooking demonstrations and other activities to keep you entertained. For the little people, there is a kids zone which will have games, live entertainment, karaoke and more.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival

• Where/When: Holly, Michigan. Take I-75 North, exit at Grange Hall Road and turn right. Take a left on Dixie Highway; the festival will be on your left. The Renaissance Festival will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., rain or shine!
• Tickets: You can purchase discounted tickets at Kroger and Walgreens, or purchase tickets at the door.
• Cost: This weekend, if you bring in four cans of food to donate, you will receive a free adult admission with the purchase of an adult admission – a savings of $19.95. Adults tickets are $19.95, children 5 and up are $10.95, students and seniors are $17.95 and children under 5 are free. Parking is free.
• Why go: The theme for the weekend is the "Royal Ale Fest." There will be, of course, beer to drink and huge turkey legs, Scotch Eggs and ice cold pickles to devour. This festival is very family friendly with a huge children's area that will have your little ones making wands and taking part in a children's parade. Don't forget to bring plenty of cash for the pony rides, kiddie rides and huge trampolines. For the adults, there is a jousting tournament, fire juggling, stores to browse and plenty of people watching.

• Where/When: , Monday from 8 a.m to noon.
• Registration: Participants can pre-register online at www.paintcreektrail.org or in person on the day of the event.
• Cost: This event is free, with a suggested tax-deductible donation of $5.00 per family to help raise $75,000 toward replacing Paint Creek Trail Bridge 31.7, located near Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve.
• Why go: Whether you are up for the 2-mile walk or the 10k Walk/Run, this event is like hitting two birds with one stone. Not only are you outside enjoying nature and exercising, but you are also helping to preserve and improve the beautiful . Win-win!

Here are a few other weekend things to do:

• will have their Kid's Workshop on Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon. The project for the day is an ESPN College Football game board. Your child will also get an apron, pin and certificate of completion. The event is free.
• Get out and donate blood on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the . Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code "stpaulalbanian" to make an appointment or call 586-453-9063.
• won't stay open past October, so get your plants, fall mums and veggies while you can. Open Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.