March marks the start of spring in Pure Michigan. From a mix of final winter fun to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, there are plenty of ways to enjoy our state this month. For more suggestions of things to do this month in Michigan, visit michigan.org.

East Central

Monster Jam
March 2 – 3, 2012, Saginaw
The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam, stars the biggest performers in the monster truckscommunity. The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, from racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles, to soaring over objects or smash through them! Expect to see outrageous jumps, crushed cars, and plenty of concrete-streaking action with some of the most incredible donuts ever. Show starts at 2pm, Pit Party $10 at 11:30am to 12:30pm! Gates open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets available at the Dow Event Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. For more information on this event, click here.

Flushing Walleye Festival
March 9 – 11, 2012, Flushing
Come join us on the Flint River March 9^th through the 11^th for our annual fishing contest. Games, outdoor exhibits, a chili cook off, pancake breakfast, and fish fry will all be available as well. For more information on this event, contact the Flushing Chamber of Commerce at (810) 659-4141.

Lexington’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Celebration
March 16 -17, 2012, Lexington
Join us in Lexington for our St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and parade. The pub crawl will be on March 16^th beginning at the Irish Rose, the parade will take place on March 17^th beginning at 2 pm. The party continues at the Old Town Winery after the parade. For more information, call (810) 359-5340.

Walleye Tournament
March 17 – 18, 2012, St. Clair
The Walleye Fishing Tournament is back. The tournament is held on the St. Clair River. Bring your kids for the additional kids tournament(free entry for kids). There will be a grand prize for the heaviest walleye. For more information contact us at (810) 329-4125.

 Northeast

Spring Fling
March 1 – 4, 2012, Gaylord
Come to Gaylord for our weekend long Spring Fling. This event includes activities, entertaining contests, live entertainment, a beer tent, horse drawn wagon rides, and children’s programs. So whether it’s you and your friends, and your family, this event is great for everyone. For more information contact (888) 873-3867.

Race The Face Snowmobile Drag Races
March 16 – 18, 2012, Gaylord
Attention extreme sports enthusiasts. The snowmobile drag races are taking place at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord. For more information click here, or contact (888) 873-3867.

Hartwick Pines Maple Syrup Time
March 24, 2012, Grayling
Come learn about the history of maple sugar making in North America on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10am to 4pm, as you help tap a maple tree and observe the boil-down process which converts maple sap into maple syrup. This is a great event for you and your family. Children can participate in a variety of fun and educational hands-on activities during Maple Syrup Day at Hartwick Pines. Of course, the day would not be complete without sampling this tasty Michigan product. For more information contact (989) 348-2537.

Northwest

Slush Cup Weekend
March 2 – 4, 2012, Bellaire  
Come celebrate over 30 years of Shanty Creek’s most popular winter event – a race course on an icy 40-foot pond. Enjoy additional activities on the slopes including a frozen fish toss, shovel races, the fruity suity and more. This is a great weekend trip for you and your family. For more information on this event call (800) 678-4111.

Kalkaska Winterfest
March 3 – 4, 2012, Kalkaska
The Kalkaska Winterfest is here. This Winterfest is the largest sprint sled dog race in North America. It features an unlimited class race, and is the only one in the state of Michigan. Kalkaska Winterfest is held at the Kalkaska Civic Center, in Kalkaska, Michigan. Other activities include: sled dog rides, IWPA Dog Weight Pull, outhouse races, children’s games, and Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament. So come with your friends, or bring your family to the Kalkaska Winterfest. For more information visit the website or call (800) 487-6880 or (231) 258-9103.

Cardboard Classic Weekend
March 9 – 11, 2012, Bellaire
Come test your creativity and constructive skill at the Cardboard Classic. The annual downhill Cardboard Classic Race down Schuss Mountain is a sled race on a sled that you make yourself. So come test your skills at the Cardboard classic. For more information on this event call (800) 678-4111.

Suds & Snow
March 3, 2012, Traverse City
Have you ever want to participate in a beer tasting, or snow shoeing. Well here’s your chance to do both. At Timber Ridge Resort from 2-6:30pm you can enjoy both beer tasting and snow shoeing. In addition to the wide variety of beer samples from Michigan Breweries, there are several other activities including winter volleyball, and live music, and several kinds of food to try. For ticket purchase and information, call (231) 947-2770.

Southeast

Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival
March 10, 2012, Jackson
The Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival is back. Enjoy outdoor beer tasting with outdoor patio, food, bonfires, DJ music and giveaways. The Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival is a craft and specialty beer tasting event featuring over 80 different types of premium brews with 140 beers available. Noon to 5pm. Event is for patrons 21 years and over only. For ticket information, visit the website.

Michigan Home & Garden Show
March 9 – 11, 2012, Pontiac
The 21st Michigan Home & Garden Show is where you will find inspiration from the latest trends in landscaping, gardening and home improvement. Exhibit displays will fill the Silverdome with home and garden products and services for new homes, remodeling and maintenance. All the major home product categories are available from the basics of heating, cooling, kitchens, baths, windows and doors to room additions, siding, closets, vacuums, appliances, fixtures, furnishings, landscaping and decorative accessories. Advance tickets are available online. Discount coupons for $2 off Friday or Sunday adult admission are available on-line. Adults $10; Children (6-14) $5; 5 & under Free. On-site is parking available for a fee. Show times are March 9 noon-9pm; March 10 10am-9pm; and March 11 10am-6pm.

Downtown Divas at Dusk
March 22, 2012, Tecumseh
Grab your mother, daughter, sister and BFF and come to Downtown Tecumseh for this fun Diva night. Divas at Dusk is a fun filled night for women in which downtown merchants open their doors with lots of delights for these women. These include food, entertainment, prizes and more. The event will take place in downtown Tecumseh, from 5-9pm. For more information, click here or call (517) 424-6003.

Fenner Maple Syrup Festival
March 17 – 18, 2012, Lansing
Come join us for  the arrival of Spring at the Fenner Nature Center Maple Syrup Festival! Weekend festival activities include Tap a tree (children’s activity/hands on guided activity), sugar bush sap boiling demo “out in the woods”, maple sugar and candy making demos, outstanding crafts displays, winter bird and tree identification walks, tasty food items (maple syrup sundaes, cookies, hot beverages, and more!), and face painting for kids. This is a great trip for you and your family so come on out. For information call (517) 483-4224.

Southwest

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 16 – 17, 2012, Grand Ledge
This annual celebration is set in historic downtown Grand Ledge and consists of two nights of Irish dance performances, lots of Irish music, a grand parade and more. For more information contact (517) 627-8360.

Upper Peninsula

U.P. Ice Chip Golf Scramble
March 3, 2012, St. Ignace
Like the ice? Like golf? Here’s a great opportunity to bring your hobby to winter. Test your skills against others at the U.P. Ice Chip Golf Scramble on the Wild Ice of Moran Bay on Lake Huron in St. Ignace. We offer a 9-hole course that will test your balance on the ice while attempting to hit that perfect shot. Register at the Mackinac Grille Restaurant beginning at 9:00 am. Registration fee of $30/person includes lunch and dinner at the Mackinac Grille. Great food, fun, and prizes. Best Sled’ contest, men’s and women’s divisions. Prizes are awarded. You may also visit us here.

Brule Bash
March 24 – 25, 2012, Iron River
The Brule Bash is a great trip for families. There are events all weekend such as treasure hunt, petting zoo, mattress race, sled dog rides, silly slalom, snow bowling, and many more activities. 1/2 off tickets when in full costume. For more information on this event, call (800) 362-7853.

Maple Sugaring Day at Tahquamenon Falls State Park
March 24, 2012, Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Come participate in turning nature’s sweet sap into yummy maple syrup during this hands-on event. Grab your families, bundle up, and take a hike through the sugar bush, trying your hand at tapping trees and boiling sap. Learn how to identify which trees to tap and the materials you’ll need to make maple syrup at home. The Recreation Passport is your $10 ticket to Michigan’s state parks and outdoor adventures. For more information visit this website.

West Central

Girlfriends Weekend 2012
March 2 – 4, 2012, Holland
Girlfriends weekend is a great get away for you and your friends. This three day event filled weekend is filled with activities women love, but also leaves free time for them to explore on their own. This weekend is designed to be a fun and relaxing getaway for girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and daughters, the event offers everything from belly dancing lessons and a wine tasting, to a closet makeover contest, in store activities, dueling pianos, a champagne brunch, and much, much more. You must be 21 to participate. The weekend package is $100 per attendee, or $95 per person for group of four or more. Saturday only passes available for just $55. For more information on this event, to register, or check the scheduled activities, click here or call (616) 796-1210.

Michigan Laughfest
March 8 – 18, 2012, Grand Rapids
A festival of laughs celebrates laughter for the health of it — a festival of comedy, performance, film, and a variety of seriously funny stuff that makes us laugh. Enjoy many aspects of humor from top comedians to laughter yoga and funny pet contests at the first such festival of laughter at 20 venues in and around Grand Rapids. To learn more about tickets or additional information about LaughFest, please phone (616) 776-3511 or visit the Laughfest website.

St. Patrick`s Day Parade
March 17, 2012, Muskegon
The first ever Muskegon St. Patrick’s Day Parade is approaching. Don’t miss out; be sure to be in downtown Muskegon on Jefferson street at 11am to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade. For more information on this event, call (231) 724-3100.

St. Patrick’s Parade
March 17, 2012, Pentwater
St. Patrick’s Day only happens once a year, so come join us for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will begin at 1pm on Hancock street. Come bring your families for this fun filled event, and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. For more information call (231) 869-4150.

{ 4 comments - Read and add your own }