The Great Lakes Bay Region has some outstanding events, attractions and amenities right outside our front door. You can hit the trails in the morning, take in a festival during the day and catch the sunset sailing on the Saginaw Bay by night. Here are some of great things we saw take shape in 2018. The parking lot for Dow Gardens and Midland Center for the Arts pops with color in the spring. Visitors enjoy the Bay City Chalk Art Festival in summer 2018. An artist works on his submission for Bay City’s summer Chalk Art Festival in 2018. Midland’s Santa House is open throughout the holiday season, offering free visits to Santa. With a heated chalet, outdoor firepit, toboggan runs and a sledding hill, City Forest is a popular winter destination. Midland’s City Forest gained new wayfinding signage in 2016, helping visitors navigate the large trail system. The Accidentals playing during the Riverdays Festival. The annual Midland Balloon Festival brings hot air balloon pilots from around the state to Midland for a weekend of air shows and unique events. The annual Midland Balloon Festival “Main Street Glow” event lines Main Street in Downtown Midland with flames. Many sailors call the Saginaw Bay home. Throughout the boating season, races sponsored by the Bay City Yacht Club are held every Wednesday night.