• Nightspots

    Ryan Racine.: Old Town

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    Old Town 122 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor

    Veteran local alt-country honky-tonk and rockabilly singer-songwriter.

  • Observer Editor

    “Trinity Health Probility Ann Arbor Marathon”: Epic Races

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    26.2-mile, 13.1-mile, 5K, and 10K chip-timed races on circuitous courses through city streets, along the river, through Nichols Arboretum, and in Gallup Park. The 5K, 10K, and half-marathon events are open to walkers. All courses start and end near Main St. downtown. Courses closed to vehicular traffic until 2 p.m. Awards. 8 a.m. (registration opens at 6 a.m.), Ashley between Liberty & Washington, $60–$160 in advance at epicraces.com; prices increase on race day. (734) 585–7101.

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    Observer Editor

    U-M Climate Week

    U-M Climate Week
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    Sept. 27–Oct. 4. A week of speeches, forums, clothing exchanges, and more. Today’s Earthfest includes hands-on art and gardening activities, free bicycle repairs, and information tables by local sustainability organizations. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., the Diag. Complete calendar at climateweek.umich.edu/calendar.

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    Observer Editor

    “Apple Day”: Pittsfield Union Grange

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    A chance to press apple cider. Apples available for purchase or bring your own (1 bushel or less) to make cider. Bring your own jugs, if you have them. Also, apple tastings and apple baked goods for sale. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. Free. (734) 274–0773. 

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    Fiber Expo

    Fiber Expo
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    Oct. 3 & 4. Show and sale of a variety of yarns and fiber art supplies, products, and crafting items. Demos. Also, breeders on hand with alpacas, sheep, and other animals. Concessions. Service animals only. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sun.), Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $4 ($6 for both days) cash only; kids 12 & under, free. (567) 249–5294, fiberexpo.com.

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    Observer Editor

    H.A.C. Ultimate

    H.A.C. Ultimate
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    Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Beginners welcome. Play proceeds regardless of the weather. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].  

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    Observer Editor

    U-M Climate Week

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    Sept. 27–Oct. 4. A week of speeches, forums, clothing exchanges, and more.Today: Climate Science & Society: an IDEAS Day STEMM Festival includes talks, tabling, and hands-on activities exploring how communities are responding to climate challenges and building resilience. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., U-M Museum of Natural History, 1105 North University. Complete calendar at climateweek.umich.edu/calendar. 

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    Observer Editor

    Tattoo Art Fest: Ann Arbor District Library

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    A day of talks and painting demos by local tattoo artists, along with a vendor fair with merchandise and art in a variety of mediums. For a complete schedule see aadl.org/tattooart. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free. (734) 327–4200. 

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    Sunday Artisan Market

    Sunday Artisan Market
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    Every Sun. Juried market of local handmade arts & crafts, now in its 35th year. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kerrytown Farmers Market pavilion. Free admission. (734) 913–9622.

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    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards

    Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
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    Every Wed.–Sun. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of family-oriented fall activities on this family farm, including wagon rides, a petting farm, a corn maze, and more. For an extra charge on Sat. & Sun., an apple cannon, paintball, apple or pumpkin picking, and other activities available. Cider & donuts available. Also, on Oct. 3 & 4, local artisans & crafters sell their items at the Craft Show Weekend, and on Oct. 24, young entrepreneurs sell homemade items at the Kids Market (noon–4 p.m.). No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 5565 Merritt (east of Carpenter), Ypsi. Weekend admission: $27.50 (babies under 2, free). Weekday admission: $18 (babies under 2, free), online only at wiards.com. (734) 482–7744.

  • Observer Editor

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms

    Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
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    Every Fri.–Sun. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits. Also, a u-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. The corn maze is illuminated and guests get a free glow stick on Glow Maze Nights (Oct. 9, 16, & 23, 5–9 p.m.). On All You Can Carry Pumpkin Day (Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), for $10 you can purchase all the pumpkins you can successfully stack and carry down the lane. On Pumpkin Smash Day (Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.), each guest receives a free pumpkin to smash, which is then composted or fed to the farm’s animals. Costumes encouraged for the Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). 5–9 p.m (Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.). 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.

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    Observer Editor

    Regattas: U-M Sailing Club

    Regattas: U-M Sailing Club
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    Oct. 4 & 25. All invited to watch club members and any others who want to enter their own boats in a (free) race. Oct. 4: Sunfish Regatta features small, nimble sailing dinghies. Oct. 25: Bone Chiller Regatta is open to all classes of sailboats up to 20 feet. Crews are often hamming it up in costume. 11:30 a.m. (Oct. 4) & 11 a.m. (Oct. 25), Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Rd. Free. (734) 426–0920. 

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    Observer Editor

    “Harvest Time at the Farm”: Saline Area Historical Society

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    Farm tours and pumpkin painting on this century-old family sheep farm, now a museum. The touring student fiddle ensemble Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic plays at 1 p.m. Noon–3 p.m., Rentschler Farm, 1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free, donations appreciated. (734) 944–0442. 

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    Observer Editor

    Sustainability Fair: Scio Township

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    All invited to check out displays of alternative-fuel vehicles, try e-bikes, see a worm composting tower at work, and talk to ecology experts. Also, hands-on activities for kids. Noon–3:30 p.m., Meijer parking lot, 5645 Jackson. Free. sciotownshipmi.gov.

  • Observer Editor

    “Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy

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    Fri. Oct. 2 & 16 and every Sat. & Sun. (See review) During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some animals that live in the rainforest, including a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, an iguana, and a red-footed tortoise at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show a two-toed sloth, a Dumeril’s boa, and an iguana at 1 & 4 p.m., and a red-footed tortoise at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) and noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.

  • Observer Editor

    Historic Home Tour: Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation

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    Guided architectural tour of 6 historic southside Ypsi houses and the elegant downtown Ypsi District Library, built in 1915 as a Carnegie post office. VIP ticket includes refreshments and a tour of the restored C. King & Co. Cafe building. Noon–5 p.m., 402 S. Washington, Ypsi. $30 (VIP ticket, $65) in advance at bit.ly/ypsihist-10-4-26 & (if available) at the door. (734) 845–7024, [email protected].