WCPARC Naturalist Kelsey Dehring points out “shooting stars” from the annual Perseid Meteor Shower and the constellations in the summer sky. Bring blankets. May be canceled due to weather (registrants notified). 9 p.m.–1 a.m., meet at Independence Lake County Park Beach Center Pavilion, 3200 Jennings, Whitmore Lake. Free, but $6 vehicle entry fee (non-county residents, $10). Preregistration required (#841005-A) at washtenaw.org/registerparks. Space is limited. [email protected].

Every Sat., Mon., & Thurs. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join either a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.) or a 5K mapped route (Thurs. & Mon.). AARC Traver Village (7 a.m. Sat.), 901 W. Eisenhower; Corner Brewery (6 p.m. Mon.), 720 Norris, Ypsi; and AARC Colonnade (6 p.m. Thurs.), 2621 Plymouth Rd. Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.  

Every Sat. Moderate-paced ride, 20 miles or more, to Dexter and beyond. Pack something to eat or stop in Dexter or Chelsea for coffee or breakfast. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone, and snacks. See aabts.org for weather cancelations or delays. 8 a.m. sharp, meet at Barton Nature Area parking lot, W. Huron River Dr. near Bird. Free. (734) 649–9762, [email protected].

Every Sat. All invited to join a timed but noncompetitive 5K run/walk. 8 a.m., Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt. Free, but first-timers are requested to preregister at parkrun.us/lillie and arrive at 7:45 a.m. [email protected].

July 31–Aug. 2 & Aug. 13–16. Equine competition combining artistry and technical abilities highlighted by graceful freestyle routines set to music. No pets. Concessions. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., 11500 Glenn at Katz (west off Mount Hope Rd. from I-94 exit 150), Grass Lake. Free. [email protected].

See 14 Friday. Today’s events include an art sale (9 a.m.–8 p.m.), a children’s art activity (11 a.m.), and a beer & wine reception (noon). Also, live music in the Gallery Tent by the Ducenota String Ensemble (noon), the Ann Arbor Clarinet Trio (1:15 p.m.), the G-Fours String Quartet (2:30 p.m.), the Depot Town Jazz Ensemble (3:45 p.m.), and, at the Monument Park gazebo, the Dexter Community Choir (6 p.m.). 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Club member Victor Chen leads a walk for people from BIPOC communities and their allies to look for birds. Binoculars provided if needed. 9:30–11 a.m., meet at the Wiard’s Orchards parking lot, 5565 Merritt. Free. washtenawbna.org.

Aug. 8, 15, 26, & 29. Chamber music performances by small groups of A2SO musicians. Dexter Farmers’ Market (Aug. 8, 10–11:30 a.m.), 3233 Alpine, Dexter. Ypsilanti Farmers Market (Aug. 15 & Aug. 29, 10–11:30 a.m.), 16 S. Washington, Ypsi. Saline Farmers Market (Aug. 15 & 29, 10–11:30 a.m.), 104 S. Ann Arbor St. #4, Saline. Ann Arbor Farmers Market (Aug. 26, 10–11:30 a.m.), Farmers Market Pavilion, Kerrytown. Various times and locations. Free. (734) 994–4801, a2so.org/farmers-markets.

Every Sat., Fri., & Wed. All invited to play one of 200 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell chime’s numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Kids welcome. 10:30–11 a.m. (Sat.) & noon–12:30 p.m. (Wed. & Fri.). Free. [email protected].

Every Tues.–Sun. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens. The newest program lets participants try out simulated snake senses to experience the world as if they were a snake. No live snakes. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.

A day of talks, costume contests, and other activities celebrating all things anime and manga, the Japanese animated film and comic book arts, respectively. With an artists alley featuring a variety of artists and vendors selling anime and manga-related goods, all-ages anime-themed crafts, a featured talk by voice actor Kayli Mills (noon, 4th fl. program rm.), along with talks by cosplay experts Akakioga, AlpacaAsh, Jazzthebat, and Halcybella. For a complete schedule see aadl.org/animearbor. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200.

Art and music festival in the alley and backyards of Ypsilanti’s historic South Side neighborhood. Live music TBA. Food vendors. Art on display and for sale. Rain date: Aug. 16. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Catherine St. alley from Hamilton to Huron St., Ypsi. Free. More information at dzanchouse.org/all-events.  

Exhibition match vs. Northwestern. The U-M also has a home exhibition match this month against MSU (Aug. 19, 6 p.m.). Noon, Ocker Field, 1202 S. State. Free. (734) 764–0247, mgoblue.com.

Self-guided tours of this 1901 farm, which has explanatory signage throughout its farmhouse, barns, dairy barn, ice house, windmill, and more. Live sheep & chickens to admire. Noon–3 p.m., Rentschler Farm Museum, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free admission. (734) 944–0442.

Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org. 

Every Sat. Thirty–minute tour of the museum’s exhibits and galleries, as well as an introduction to some current U-M Biological Sciences research projects. 1:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.

All welcome to join a hike through the Arb. 1:30–2:30 p.m., meet at the Peony Garden entrance to the Arb at 1610 Washington Hgts. Free. [email protected], jewelheart.org/chapters/ann-arbor.

Aug. 8, 15, & 22 (different times). Docent-led tours exploring ancient Greek and Roman demi-gods in “Centaurs and Sirens and Satyrs, Oh My!” (Aug. 8), ancient female images in “Women in the Kelsey” (Aug. 15), “Daily Life in Ancient Rome” (Aug. 22, 11:15 a.m.), and “All That Sparkles: Egyptian Jewelry” (Aug. 22, 2 p.m.). 11:15 a.m.–noon (Aug. 8 & 22) & 2–3 p.m. (Aug. 15 & 22), 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.

Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for kids age 5 & up that uses museum specimens to explore paleontology and what can be learned from giant bones and fossils. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.