10 things to do in Michigan in September

When September hits, there's no denying that fall is on its way. But, with colorful leaves and cooler temperatures, September has its own unique charm and appeal. It also has fun events. From a charming autumn cruise to tasty food festivals, here are 10 things to do in Michigan in September.

Autumn cruises on the Manitou

The Traverse Tall Ship Company is offering a bevy of Grand Traverse Bay cruises during the Michigan fall color tour months of September and October. The Manitou cruises visit coastal villages along the northern Michigan shoreline.

Cruises with availability left include the six-day explorer cruise for $704 per person, four-day star gazer cruise for $577 per person and four-day Michigan Craft Beer Cruise for $577 per person.

On the Manitou cruises, passengers may also learn the art of being a sailor from the crew. Expect a true vacation from technology, with no TV, phone (cell phones are discouraged), Internet or email. Trips are limited to 22 people. Fare includes lodging, meals and sailing activities.

To make reservations or for more information, call 800-678-0383, ext. 2k, or visit www.TallShipSailing.com.

Arts, Beats & Eats is back

The annual Ford Arts, Beats & Eats festival returns to downtown Royal Oak for an 18th year from Sept. 4 through 7. The festival boasts nine stages and hundreds of musical acts, as well as food from local restaurants, artists displaying their work and more activities.

This year's musical lineup includes Cheap Trick, Salt-N-Pepa, Puddle of Mudd, Gin Blossoms, Neon Trees and the Guess Who, among others.

Last year, the festival attracted more than 365,000 visitors and raised more than $360,000 for local charities.

Admission to the festival ranges from $3 to $5, depending on the time and day. Admission is free until 5 p.m. Sept. 4. Children under 3 are free at all times.

For more information, including ticket information, visit www.artsbeatseats.com.

Troy Family Daze Festival

The annual Troy Family Daze Festival has been going strong since 1968. The free event returns to the Troy Civic Center from Sept. 17 through 20, offering talent shows, games, contests, carnival rides, a large midway, food vendors, fireworks and more entertainment. As its name says, this is truly a family event.

For more information, head to www.troyfamilydaze.com.

Celebrate the beautiful bean

The 69th annual Michigan Bean Festival in Fairgrove will celebrate Michigan's great dry bean industry from Sept. 4 through 7. Activities will include go cart races, bingo, an auto show, a pancake breakfast, a blood drive, a volley ball tournament, a golf scramble, among other things. The festival will also crown the new Michigan Bean Queen.

For more details, head to www.michiganbeanfestival.com.

Marshall Historical Home Tour





George and Debra Whelan of Marshall will host the 52nd annual Marshall Historic Home Tour Sept. 12 and 13, with a special spotlight on the Marshall's octagon house. The home was originally built in 1856 and is currently undergoing restoration.

Octagon houses were popular in the mid-1800s, and only about 500 are still standing nationally, so this is a rare treat. Along with Marshall's octagon house, the tour will look at a handful of other private residences, commercial buildings, five Calhoun County Fairgrounds buildings and eight museums.

The Marshall Historic Home Tour hours will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13. Parking and shuttle buses are free. Other entertainment will include magicians at Oakhill, an arts-and-crafts fair at the Honolulu House Museum, a Civil War Ball on Sept. 12 and a community picnic on Sept. 13 following the tour's close.

Tickets are $17 through Sept. 7 and $20 starting Sept. 8. For tickets and additional information, www.marshallhometour.org or call the Honolulu House Museum at (269) 781-8544.

Michigan Chicken Wing festival

Like chicken wings? A lot? Then this is your lucky year. The debut Michigan Chicken Wing Festival will set up shop Sept. 5 and 6 at Adado Riverfront Park, bringing kids' activities, live music, Michigan vendors, a wing-eating and tasting contest and more.

The wing-eating contest is where things get serious. The top eaters will be crowned Wing King and Wing Queen. Kids' activities will vary from face painting to inflatables to the Lansing Fire Department's Big Truck. Music will offer a mix of genres: gospel, hip-hop, alternative rock, blues. Best of all, the festival is free.

For more information, visit www.michiganchickenwingfestival.com.

2015 Mackinac Bridge Walk

The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk is a true Michigan September tradition. Now in its 58th year, the walk – put on by the Mackinac Bridge Authority, the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce – will start at 7 a.m. on Sept. 7.

There is no fee or registration to participate. Bus transportation from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace runs $5 per person, with infants free.

The walk will start in St. Ignace, at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula and close out in Mackinaw City at the south end in the Lower Peninsula. Note that participants will not be able to start the walk after 11 a.m., so get there early.

For more information, head to www.mackinacbridge.org.

Smokin' Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival

The 10th annual Smokin' Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival in Brighton brings together great jazz music and tasty barbecue. Food vendors offering ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, pork tenderloin and sweets will line Main Street from Grand River to First Street. Meanwhile, live entertainment from local and national jazz and blues artists will play at the music stage on Mill Pond Lane, in the municipal parking lot behind Jack's Custard. There's a $5 charge for wristbands to enter the music venue and beverage garden area, bu t it's free to stroll up and down Main Street and browse the barbecue vendors.

For more information, visit www.brightoncoc.org and www.brightonsmokinjazz.com.

Michigan Peach Festival in Romeo

Peaches, peaches everywhere. It must be the month of Romeo's Michigan Peach Festival. The annual celebration of the sweet, succulent fruit will take place Sept. 3 through 7 in downtown Romeo. Attendees will take in parades, bed races, craft shows, 5K and 10K runs, a car show and more. They'll also honor the Peach Queen and Peach Court.

For more information, head to www.michiganpeachfest.com.

Schoolcraft Coin Show

Since 2000, the Schoolcraft Coin Show has offered a spot for collectors to buy and sell their numismatic wares. The free show, set for Sept. 26, will take place at the Krum Community Center in Schoolcraft. Dealers will be on site to identify and evaluate coins and medals. Perhaps you're sitting on a pot of gold and don't even know it. They'll also have coins on display.

For more information, visit www.schoolcraftcoinshow.com.