Midland’s August lineup: Garden explorations, County Fair, and tournaments

With Fall not too far around the corner, there’s still time to enjoy what’s left of the summer right here in Midland. We’ve covered a lot of the Downtown events that continue throughout the rest of summer, but here are some other highlights for August. 

Dow Garden adventures

Visitors to Dow Gardens can enjoy a range of interactive, educational, and entertaining programs throughout August, with events designed for families, children, and garden enthusiasts.

Dow GardensLunchtime Concerts continue each Wednesday through Aug. 27Garden Explorations, held every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. through Aug. 14, offers a chance to engage with Dow Gardens staff during pop-up experiences focused on different horticultural topics. Each session features hands-on learning and exploration tailored to the week’s theme. Upcoming topics include Meadow & Orchard on Aug. 7 and Dow Family Heritage on Aug. 14. The sessions are included with garden admission and take place outdoors, weather permitting.

Lunchtime Concerts continue each Wednesday through Aug. 27 at the Amphitheater at Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens. From noon to 1:30 p.m., guests are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy live performances spanning a range of musical styles. The August concert lineup includes:

• Aug. 13: Monte Pride
• Aug. 20: Twilight Tunes Dueling Pianos
• Aug. 27: The Johnny Guest Trio

Concerts are included with daily admission or an annual pass.

For younger visitors, Storytime takes place Friday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Garden and runs through Aug. 15. Targeted for children ages three to seven years old, this program invites families to gather for themed read-aloud sessions in a garden setting.

All programs are included with general admission to Dow Gardens, which is $15 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children three and under.

For more information, visit Dow Gardens’ website.

Midland County Fair

Midland County FairThis year is the 87th annual fair.The 87th annual Midland County Fair runs Sunday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Midland County Fairgrounds, 6905 Eastman Ave. Admission is free, and parking is available for $10.

Events kick off early with harness racing on Friday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m., including the return of the Spartan Futurity harness races.

Daily activities include midway rides, pig racing, exotic animal shows, wood carving, and a petting zoo. Grandstand shows begin at 7 p.m. each evening. The lineup is as follows:

Aug. 10: Demolition Derby (USA Demolition Derbies)
Aug. 11–12: Super Kicker Rodeo (Welcome to the Good Life Tour)
Aug. 13: Truck and Tractor Pull (TTPA)
Aug. 14: Figure-8 Racing and Burnout Competition
Aug. 15: Supercross Championship Series (SJO Productions)
Aug. 16: Autocross Racing

Details and event pricing can be found on the Midland County Fair website.

Gus Macker and Pickleball Open

Downtown MidlandMore than 300 teams are expected this year.The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament returns to downtown Midland Aug. 8-10. This year’s event kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. with a new addition: the first-ever Heroes Tournament, featuring spirited matchups between teams from the Midland Police Department, County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, and EMS.

All proceeds from the Great Lakes Bay Gus Macker benefit The Legacy Center for Community Success.

From Aug. 13-17, the APP Great Lakes Open Pickleball Tournament takes place at the Greater Midland Tennis Center, featuring roughly 300 athletes, including 100 professional players. The event will be televised on CBS Sports Network, and admission for spectators is free.