Thursday, July 16

McLean Nature Preserve Summer Meadow Walk is set for 6 p.m. A wide variety of wildflowers are currently in bloom in our meadows at the preserve, 2199 N. Flajole Road in Rhodes (about ¼ mile north of Erickson Road) in northwestern Bay County. Butterfly milkweed, purple prairie clover and black-eyed Susan are in their prime with prairie blazing stars starting their bloom from top to bottom. The preserve features 160 acres, which are fenced and gated. There is plenty of room for social distancing and people can spread out as much as desired. This event is cosponsored by Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy and is free and open to the public. For directions or further information call Jim or Shirley McLean at 989-631-3067 in Midland. On the day of the program they can be reached at 989-698-6239.

Friday, July 17

Creative 360, 1517 Bayliss St., in Midland, invites you to a summer concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. out in the open air! Local band Coleman Road will entertain from an outdoor pavilion as they play blues, classic rock and a variety of popular tunes. Band members include Michelle DeHate, Glenn Isenhart, Johnny Guest, Alex Rapanos and Rich Hibner. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers for a picnic on the Creative 360 lawn. This will be a socially distanced event with masks required when you go inside the building. Make reservations at becreative360.org/events or call 989-837-1885. Admission is $10, with children 16 and younger admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, July 18

Midland Center brings the first live-concert event back to Midland, and you bring your own chair – “BYOC.” Joshua Davis, Michigan native and season eight finalist on The Voice, will star in the one-night only socially-distanced outdoor event as the sun goes down, filled with fun summer music presented at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Masks are strongly encouraged at all times, and will be required in common areas such as concession lines, restrooms, walking to and from your vehicle and when entering the concert. Masks are still encouraged while seated. Seating is general admission, with socially distanced seating taking place in clearly marked areas around the stage. Outside food and snacks are welcome. There will be a vehicle-only designated area for those who prefer to remain in their vehicle. Tickets are $20 per person through July 10, and $25 after.

The Greater Midland Tennis Center invites the community to enjoy outdoor tennis and group fitness from noon to 1:30 p.m. at one of the few places where activities take place outdoors and social distancing is maintained. Taste of Tennis will feature teaching pros on hand to provide class samplers, program demonstrations and learn to play instruction. There are options for preschool, 10 and under juniors, middle school/high school players and adults. This event is free and fun for the whole family. Registration is required and is available by calling 989-631-6151.

The Midland Area Farmers Market is currently operating as a walking market at the Dow Diamond East Parking Lot from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Sunday, July 19

Step back in time at Chippewa Nature Center’s Homestead Farm for a family-friendly afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. You may get to try your hand at grinding corn, pumping water, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead Farm will be open Sundays in July and August. In order to ensure distancing and a safe environment, Homestead buildings will not be open during this program. The program will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Free. All Ages, under 18 w/adult. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Wednesday, July 22

Chemical City Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Central Park in Midland. Band members will practice social distancing and will wear facial masks for setup. The band asks that its audience also social distance and wear masks. Steve DeRees will conduct concerts of marches and other summer favorites. There will be no intermission. Concerts are family friendly.

Chippewa Nature Center is the Wednesday location for the 6 to 7 p.m. Walk Midland, a City of Midland Parks and Recreation program in partnership with MidMichigan Health, Chippewa Nature Center and Greater Midland Corporate Wellness. Walkers, please bring your own writing utensil for check-in and practice social distancing with those outside your household. Free. All ages, under 18 w/adult. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

July 23-25

Downtown Midland Sidewalk Sales is set for downtown Midland. With Main Street closed to vehicle traffic at Ashman, McDonald, and Rodd streets, visitors can stroll through the street and enjoy expanded shopping and dining space in accordance with current social distancing guidelines. Shop a variety of participating retailers, then sit outside at a local restaurant for a hot snack and a cold drink. Participating retailers include: Ace Hardware & Sports, Coyer Candle Co., Elodie Boutique, Gift of Hope Boutique, Grape Beginnings Winery, Heather ‘n Holly, Imagine That, Joyful Tantrum, Little Forks Outfitters, Michigan Brew Supply, Proper Taco, Serendipity Road, Ways To Wellness, Willow Classic Ladies Apparel. In accordance with ongoing COVID-19 regulations, the Midland Downtown Development Authority encourages visitors to practice social distancing and proper hygiene guidelines, wear a facial covering, have patience with downtown businesses.

Friday, July 24

Faith United Methodist Church, 209 E. Jefferson Street in Coleman, at the corner of Fifth Street and Jefferson, will host mid-Michigan’s own award-winning blues guitarist Larry McCray at 7 p.m. in the church parking lot in a concert to raise funds for help victims of the Sanford and Wixom lakes flooding. Bring your lawn chair, wear a mask or bandanna and enjoy an evening of music outside and at safe distances from others attending the show. Additional donations can be made online via the church Facebook event GoFundMe link or by checks made out to the church and marked as “Concert.” McCray’s three-decade career has taken him around the world from his family roots in Arkansas and Saginaw and earned him acclaim from blues and rock musicians who are legendary in their own right. Admission is by donation, $10/person suggested, with the proceeds to benefit local flood relief efforts.

Sunday, July 26

Step back in time at Chippewa Nature Center’s Homestead Farm for a family-friendly afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. Weekly themed activities and tours will be available throughout the afternoon. You may get to try your hand at grinding corn, pumping water, working in the garden, tilling the field or watering the animals. The Homestead Farm will be open Sundays in July and August. In order to ensure distancing and a safe environment, Homestead buildings will not be open during this program. The program will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Free. All Ages, under 18 w/adult. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Wednesday, July 29

Chemical City Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Central Park in Midland. Band members will practice social distancing and will wear facial masks for setup. The band asks that its audience also social distance and wear masks. Steve DeRees will conduct concerts of marches and other summer favorites. There will be no intermission. Concerts are family friendly.

Chippewa Nature Center is the Wednesday location for the 6 to 7 p.m. Walk Midland, a City of Midland Parks and Recreation program in partnership with MidMichigan Health, Chippewa Nature Center and Greater Midland Corporate Wellness. Walkers, please bring your own writing utensil for check-in and practice social distancing with those outside your household. Free. All ages, under 18 w/adult. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

July 30-Aug. 1

The annual Riverdays festival will take place in a different format this year, but event organizers are confident it will continue to honor the spirit of Midland. The Midland Area Community Foundation announced it will go virtual in order to safeguard the health of volunteers and participants. Details will be made available closer to the event. Information and a full schedule of events will be posted in the weeks to come on MACF’s Facebook page and www.riverdaysmidland.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

Chemical City Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Central Park in Midland. Band members will practice social distancing and will wear facial masks for setup. The band asks that its audience also social distance and wear masks. Steve DeRees will conduct concerts of marches and other summer favorites. There will be no intermission. Concerts are family friendly.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Salt River Acres in Oil City is hosting a music festival to benefit local flood relief efforts. Bands are scheduled to play all day. Salt River Acres is located at 926 Greendale Road in Oil City. Gates open at 10 a.m. There will be a $10 entrance fee, but children 12 and younger will be admitted free. In addition to live entertainment, there will be raffles and auctions with concessions sold at the campgrounds. To make donations or ask questions about the festival, call Carr at 989-631-0817 or email sanforddamstrong@gmail.com.

Sept. 12-13

Great Lakes Market’s Autumn Market is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Uptown Bay City, providing a chance for area artists to display their wares.

Dec. 12-13

Great Lakes Market’s Winter Market is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Bay City, providing a chance for area artists to display their wares.