Events
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Observer Editor
“The Transformers: The Movie”: Fathom Entertainment
More(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Sept. 17–23: “The Transformers: The Movie” (Nelson Shin, 1986). Animated sci-fi action based on the popular television series about a war between 2 robotic clans. Various times; see website.
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Observer Editor
“Heaven in Stone and Glass”: Fathom Entertainment
More(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline).
Sept. 20 & 23: “Heaven in Stone and Glass” (Rob Kaczmark & Branden J. Stanley, 2026). Religious documentary exploring sacred mysteries built into Gothic cathedrals. Various times; see website.
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Community ListingFree
“Ann Arbor’s 9/11 Heroes Run”: U-M Nichols Arboretum
MoreThis Sunday, September 20, the Michigan 9/11 Heroes Run will be held at the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor, marking 25 years since the attacks. Since 2021, student veterans from the Armed Forces Association at Michigan’s Ross School of Business have organized the event, bringing the University and Michigan communities together to honor those lost on 9/11 and the service members who served in the wars that followed.
Every participating veteran was impacted by 9/11 and served in some capacity during the War on Terror. Now, they’re back in the classroom at Michigan, alongside a generation with no firsthand memory of the attacks. The Ann Arbor 9/11 Heroes Run is one of over 100 races the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) is holding nationwide this month, honoring 1stLt Travis Manion, a Marine killed in Iraq in 2007, and working to carry forward the legacy of service that followed 9/11.
WHAT: A 5K honoring those lost on September 11 and those who served in the wars that followed
WHERE: Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor MI
WHEN: Sunday, September 20 at 10:00 AM
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FreeObserver Editor
Bubble Fest: Broadway Park West
MoreA bubble machine, bubble blowing, and kids activities. Surprises TBA from the Detroit Circus. Pizza and ice cream for sale. 10 a.m.–1 p.m., 841 Broadway. Free. lowertowna2.org/events.
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FreeObserver Editor
Dahlia Festival: Michigan Dahlia Association
MoreSept. 19 & 20. Display of dahlias in competition for cash prizes. Anyone may enter a dahlia for free. Food truck. 1–6 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson St., Chelsea. Free admission. [email protected], michigandahlias.org/2026-dahlia-festival.html.
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FreeObserver Editor
MI Postcards for Patriots
MoreSept. 6, 13, 20, & 27. All invited to drop-in to volunteer to help turn out the vote for the November 2026 election by writing postcards and other activities. 10:30 a.m.–noon, AADL Pittsfield. Free. [email protected], equalityingov.org.
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Observer Editor
Elemental Ecstatic Dance
MoreEvery Sun. Dancers of all ages and abilities invited for free-form dancing to a variety of recorded music, from EDM to classical and ambient to world music. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stocking feet. 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m. A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce. $20 (age 11 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. tinyurl.com/ecstatic-dance-a2.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Community Reconnect Event”: First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor
MoreLive music TBA, games, and food on the lawn. 11 a.m., 120 S. State.
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FreeObserver Editor
“Nature Lab”: U-M Museum of Natural History
MoreEvery 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 (sight, hearing, and smell) 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.
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Observer Editor
Sunday Artisan Market
MoreEvery 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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FreeObserver Editor
Entheofest
MoreSpeakers and street performers congregate to celebrate plant medicines and psilocybin fungi, also known as magic mushrooms. Talks and panel discussions TBA, information booths. 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m., U-M Diag in front of the Hatcher Library. Free. a2entheofest.org.
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Observer Editor
Country Fair: Wiard’s Orchards
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12–Nov. 21; and Wed.–Fri., Sept. 16–Oct. 30. 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 and donuts available. Also, on Sept. 12 & 13, the season opens with a food truck rally, and on Sept. 19 & 20, view classic cars at the Fall Car & Jeep Show. 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.
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Observer Editor
Blast Corn Maze: Nixon Farms
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun., Sept. 19–Nov. 1. A large corn maze with 3.5 miles of trails and 3 exits to allow for routes of various lengths. Also, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pedal cars, straw maze, and yard games. On Sept. 27, Family Fun Day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) features ice cream, balloon art, kids activities, and live music from the Saline Fiddlers. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sun.), & 5–9 p.m. (Fri.), 6175 Daly, Dexter. $16 (ages 5–12, $13; age 4 & under, free with adult admission). blastcornmaze.com.
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FreeObserver Editor
H.A.C. Ultimate
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to a relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.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
Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
MoreEvery Sat. & Sun., except Sept. 19. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
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FreeObserver Editor
Ypsi Fall River Day: Ypsilanti Parks & Recreation Commission/Huron River Watershed Council
MoreFree kayak trips, arts and crafts for kids, games, a live animal exhibit, river-themed exhibits and education, a shuttle for paddlers, and more. Noon–3 p.m., Frog Island Park & Riverside Park, Ypsi. Free. Walk-up registration only for paddling. (734) 769–5123, cityofypsilanti.com/fallriverday.
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Community Listing
Unbounded: A Sustained Author Reading Event: Cluster Museum
More307 N. Main St., Ann Arbor MI
“Unbounded: A Sustained Author Reading Event” features 25+ writers reading their work, honoring the space where knowing one’s boundaries allow for the contemplation of unlimited sky and boundlessness, and the human capacity to understand both. As Irish poet Seamus Heaney wrote, the capacity for good writing is to “allow one to have their feet on the ground and one’s head in the air simultaneously”.
This 3-hour event brings together those who previously participated in Cluster Museum’s Author Readings alongside new voices and special guests.
Writers include Gina Balibrera, Ashwini Bhasi, Chenxing Han, T Hetzel, Nazifa Islam, Jeff Kaas, Ann Kim, Linette Lao, Mouna Mana, Ruth Mella, Nadia Mota, Theo Poling, Onna Solomon, Jupiter Soto, Jennifer Sperry Steinorth, Ellen Stone, Leigh Sugar, Ciatta Tucker, Ami Walsh, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Jihyun Yun and more.
Moderators include Erin Helmrich, Thea A. Eck, and S. Jean Lee.
Learn more at www.clustermuseum.org/events/unbounded2026
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Observer Editor
U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
MoreEvery Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. T. Rex (noon) describes the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history (includes scenes of dinosaur violence); The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.) explores the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and Tales of the Maya Skies (2 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., 1105 North University. $9 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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Observer Editor
“Creature Encounters & Adult Open Hours”: The Creature Conservancy
MoreFri. Sept. 4 & 18 and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show some barnyard buddies, including a Highland cow, a chicken, a Flemish giant rabbit, and a miniature donkey at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. & Sun., staffers show the cow, chicken, and rabbit at 1 & 4 p.m., and the donkey 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.
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FreeObserver Editor
Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
MoreEvery Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Sept. 6 game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board & card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. sylvanfactory.com.
