Get Set for the Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular

If it's going to stay as cold as it is this year, we might as well enjoy an event that celebrates it. The Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular comes to Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth this weekend.

Starting at Noon on Friday, January 27th and running through Sunday, January 29th, the event features ice carvers from local high schools, colleges, and professionals from around the United States and some from as far away as Japan.

Over 100 sculptures are expected to be carved, mostly from single blocks of ice weighing over 300 pounds. Several sculptures will be constructed using between 5-100 blocks of ice, and you can watch the carving process from the beginning of stacking the blocks of ice to the finished works of art.

Besides the ones filling Kellogg Park, the customized sculptures standing outside the local merchants were some of my favorites last year. From whimsical, like one on the left outside Compari's (my favorite restaurant) to corporate, there's surely a sculpture to please everyone.

One of the most popular places to visit will be "Fantasyland" with entertainment and education for the younger crowd. Each day's events include competitions and an evening light show at dusk.

For recommendations on where to eat during the festival, check out the Plymouth Living blog. Then check out the schedule of events, print out a downtown walking map, and plan to be impressed.

It's an experience you won't soon forget!

Livonia Pumpkin Fest and Haunted Barn

The historic Wilson Barn is the site of Livonia's Pumpkin Fest being held Fridays through Sundays, October 17-19 and 24-26, and Wednesday and Thursday, October 29-30.

Decked out in Halloween haunting style, the barn has been transformed and children aged 12 and under are invited to journey through the spooky historical horse stalls for lots of chills and thrills.

Other activites include a pony ride, bounce house, and pumpkin patch. Cider & donuts are available in the Barn to get you in the seasonal spirit.

Held 5:30 - 8:00 PM on the above dates, admission is $.50/person/trip through the haunted barn.

Plymouth's Chili Cook-off Serves Up Crowds

The 13th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Show took over Downtown Plymouth, Michigan on Sunday, October 5th. Sponsored by Motor City Harley-Davidson, the event featured live entertainment, a dog costume contest, children's activities, and performances from area dancers.

Under sunny skies, the large crowd included nearly 6,000 bikers with their bikes lining several downtown streets and filling the parking lots. With all the leather in town, it was hard to tell the lawyer bikers from the true blue bikers.

Speaking of true blue bikers, check out the Big Blue bike to the right which was custom designed by Mikey and Paulie Teutul of Orange County Choppers. The headlight helmet was a crowd favorite. This was one of the many bikes on display during The Chili Bike Show.

Chili cook-off contestants competed by selling samples of their chili and hoping to garner enough votes for the chance to advance to the 2009 World Championship Cook-off next Fall. Visit the Great Lakes Chili Cook-off website for a list of winners.

All proceeds support local charities, and this year's recipient was the Western Wayne Habitat for Humanity.

Highlights from the 2008 Victorian Festival

Although the rain cancelled many Saturday activities, it didn't dampen spirits. This year's Victorian Festival in Northville was enjoyed by many, including those decked out in their Victorian finest.

I particularly enjoyed see the vintage baseball game featuring the Northville Eclipse against the Greenfield Village's Lah-De-Dahs. A kinder, gentler game played without gloves, I was surprised to learn these two teams are just a few of the many in a vintage baseball league.

Mill Race Village was in full swing with lots to see and do as the Basket Guild demonstrated basket weaving, the Country Store sold their wares, school was in session at Oak Wash School, and Victorian Teas were hosted at the Cady House.

The annual Victorian Festival celebrates Northville's past. If you've never attended this special event , be sure to put it on your calendar next September.

Plymouth's Chili Cook-off Returns Sunday

This Sunday, October 5th, the 13th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Show returns to Downtown Plymouth.

Participants can compete in the red chili, green chili, or salsa competition. Winners from each category will move on to the 2009 World Championship Chili Cookoff next Fall.

More than 15 restaurants will be competing in the Restaurant Chili Challenge where attendees will judge who serves up the best chili. The chili sampling will be held in The Gathering across from Kellogg Park.

Besides lots of great chili, the streets will be filled with motorcycles, live entertainment, and Kid's activities.

Proceeds from this year's event support the Western Wayne Habitat for Humanity.

The 2008 Plymouth Fall Festival Wrap-up

Last weekend was the 53rd Annual Plymouth Fall Festival. For the entire weekend, Downtown Plymouth was transformed into a car show-carnival-entertainment-eating extravaganza.

Even though it rained early Sunday, the event culminated under sunny skies with The Rotary Club's Chicken BBQ. An amazing 12,000 chicken dinners were prepared and served.

If you've never attended this wonderful community event, be sure to check it out next year!

Come Celebrate Northville's Past

Fall is in the air and Northville's 20th Annual Victorian Festival is just around the corner.

Kicking off with a Parade through Downtown Northville Friday, September 12th, the Victorian Festival celebrates a simpler time. The downtown area is transformed into a Victorian Village with period costumes, horse-carriage rides, storytellers, musicians, and entertainment.

A highlight of the event for pet owners is the Pooch Stroll and Great Dog Expedition from 9:00-11:15 AM Saturday morning at Ford Field. The event is free and there will be prizes awarded, like the best dog Victorian costume.

Other events include a Victorian Fashion Show and Tea, AAUW Sponsored Home Tour, vintage baseball all three days at Ford Field, and lots of games and contests at Mill Race Village.

This year's festivities run through Sunday, September 14th with lots of food, tons of entertainment, and fun for everyone.

MichiganMoves Me

I love taking pictures and after I got a new Blackberry Curve, I decided to give photo blogging a shot.

I've followed St. Paul, Minnesota real estate agent Theresa Boardman and her All T All Day blog, especially enjoying her "on the street" perspective.

I'm not a native Michigander. Although I cherish my Dakota roots and love my California past, today I enjoy a nice life in Michigan. Even with our battered economy, it's a great place to live (ok, I could do with a few less months of Winter).

Some of the things I hope to do is document my real estate travels throughout Southeast Michigan highlighting property, communities, events, and the unusual, unique and sometimes downright bizarre things I come across.

Blogging and digital photography is familiar to me. Learning a new smartphone, taking photos on it, uploading to Flickr, and posting to Twitter and my new blog has been a lesson in patience and persistence (and if that wasn't enough, I just added a new Tablet PC).

It's definitely a work in progress. The pictures and resolution aren't the best, but hey, it's a camera phone!

Image courtesy of Marvin Kuo

Plymouth Fall Festivities Include Killer Chicken BBQ

Now that September has arrived, Plymouth's Fall Festival is just around the corner.

Celebrating its 53rd year, this weekend's Fall Festival kicks off Friday night with Bingo in the Gathering and a TasteFest. With over 20 local restaurants participating, the TasteFest festivities at Station 885 will have lots of great food and entertainment.

From Friday through Sunday, the streets will be lined with community and business booths, plus a variety of food booths sponsored by local organizations. There's something for everyone with antique and classic cars on Saturday and Sunday, a Sunday morning 5K Fun Run, and Carnival rides and games.

Special events include the Saturday morning Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Rotary Club's Spaghetti dinner on Saturday evening and their signature Chicken BBQ from 11 AM Sunday until 5 PM (or until they run out).

So when making your weekend plans, be sure to include this special community event.