Visit Mi-Sci After Dark, Attend a Queer Wedding Expo, Get Fern Fest Tickets, Go to July Pride Fests
The corn may be knee-high by the Fourth of July, but Michigan's summer of queer events is just hitting its stride. Toss sunscreen, a water bottle and a portable phone charger into your fanny pack, gather your favorite people and head out for these five ways to celebrate, connect and discover something new.
1. Game On at Mi-Sci
The cool kids all know: Museums are so much more than school field trips. The Michigan Science Center is inviting adults 21 and over to reclaim and expand the fun with a legendary after-hours, LGBTQ-inclusive evening built around friendly competition, curiosity and cocktails. Challenge your friends to trivia, virtual sports and hands-on games, then reward your victories (or console your defeats) with a carefully crafted libation from Byrdie Bar. The evening also includes a one-night-only planetarium show inspired by the original Olympians in the night sky, plus plenty of time to wander the exhibits at your own pace. Don't miss the iconic rainbow escalator!
July 24, 6-10 p.m., Michigan Science Center (5020 John R St., Detroit). mi-sci.org/after-dark-summer-games.
2. Plan Your Perfect 'I Do'
Wedding planning can be overwhelming under the best of circumstances. Doing it while trying to determine "Hmm, is that a homophobic frown or does this person just think our taste in roses is gauche" is another (exhausting) matter entirely. The Detroit LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo takes that guesswork out of the conversation by bringing together affirming venues, photographers, DJs, officiants, caterers, travel specialists, bakers and tons of other professionals in one welcoming space. You'll leave with fresh ideas, maybe a raffle prize and the chance to meet other engaged LGBTQ+ folks — whether you're looking to expand your polycule or simply swap WhatsApp complaints about the price of buttercream.
July 12, 12-5 p.m., HUB Stadium (44325 W. 12 Mile Road, Novi). rainbowweddingnetwork.com/expos.
3. Escape to Fern Fest
If your ideal vacation includes campfires, drag kings, workshops, dancing under the stars and waking up surrounded by tents full of queer folks instead of pinging phone notifications, now is the time to get your Fern Fest tickets. The six-day festival features music from headliners including folk singers Olive Klug and Autumn Nicholas while creating space for women, trans and nonbinary people and everyone on the spectrum of the feminine spirit. And if your camping experience mostly consists of watching other people do it on television, Fern Fest has you covered with first-timer advice and even a packing list on its social media.
July 28-Aug. 2, Smiling Acres (3060 N. Johnson Road, Trufant). michiganfernfest.com.
4. Create Across Generations
Sometimes the best conversations come from our hearts when our hands are busy elsewhere, and that is precisely what Bridging Generations: Crafting Connections offers. This month's gathering partners MiGen, Affirmations and Stand with Trans for an evening of vision boards and creativity designed to bring LGBTQ+ people of different generations together. Whether you're 18 or 80 (the event is open for folks 13 and older) you'll have the chance to share stories, swap perspectives and imagine the futures you want to build together. Open hearts, open glue sticks.
July 16, 6-8 p.m., Affirmations Community Center (290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale). tinyurl.com/MiGenCrafting.
5. Embrace More Pride
If your Pride-bernation lasted all through June, don't despair! You still have time to emerge from your cave and join the celebrations:
- July 12: South Lyon Pride, McHattie Park (300 Dorothy St, South Lyon), 12-4 p.m
- July 17: Battle Creek Pride Parade, Michigan Ave. at Washington St., 7 p.m.
- July 18: Battle Creek Pride Festival, Leila Arboretum (928 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Flint Pride, Flat Lot (428 S. Saginaw St., Flint), 2-8 p.m.
- Ypsi Pride, Depot Town, 2-10 p.m.
- July 23-26: Hotter Than July (Detroit)
Check out the full calendar at pridesource.com.
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