Midland brings summer fun with sidewalk sales, adult recess, and photo contest

Community engagement takes center stage in Midland this month, with events inviting residents and visitors to participate and explore.

Summer Sidewalk Sales

From Thursday, July 24 through Saturday, July 26, the Downtown Midland Summer Sidewalk Sales return with unbeatable deals and unique finds. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday and runs until 6 p.m., with participating businesses keeping their own hours throughout the weekend.

To create a more inviting space for shoppers and diners, Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at Ashman, McDonald, and Rodd streets. The street will transform into a Pedestrian Plaza, giving visitors room to browse deals from local retailers and enjoy outdoor dining at downtown restaurants.

For a full list of participating businesses and hours, visit the Downtown Midland website. 


Adult Recess
Adults looking to unwind during the workday can head downtown for Adult Recess, a free weekly lunchtime event held in the Pedestrian Plaza. Participants can play games like giant Jenga, Candy Land, Connect Four, cornhole, or enjoy hula hoops, bubble blowing, and other nostalgic favorites.

Adult Recess takes place every Wednesday through August 13 and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Surprise “extra recess” events may also be announced on the City and Downtown Midland social media pages. For updates, follow @CityofMidlandMI and @DowntownMidlandMI on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Show Us Your City
While you’re out enjoying Downtown, don’t forget to snap a few photos. The City of Midland is calling on amateur photographers to capture the spirit of the community through its annual “Show Us Your City!” photo contest.

Open now through midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the contest invites participants to submit original photos that showcase life in Midland. Winning entries will be featured in the 2026 City Calendar and Services Guide, which is distributed to residents each December.

Photos should highlight the people, places, programs, and events that make Midland unique. While entrants don’t have to live in the city, all images must reflect scenes that are distinctly Midland.

“The more candid, fun, and creative, the better,” the city said in a release.

Key contest rules include:

• A maximum of three entries per person.
   
• Each photo must be no more than two years old.
   
• Professionally produced, studio-shot, or copyrighted images (such as senior portraits or family photos) will not be accepted.
   
• Digitally altered images or those featuring copyrighted material will be disqualified.
   
• All entries become property of the City of Midland and may be used in city-related advertising and social media.

Photographers from the same household may enter individually. Submissions must be made online; hard copies will not be accepted. For more information, contact the City of Midland Community Affairs Office at 989-837-3307 or visit online.