Get Ready for Highland HeyDays

The HeyDays festival has big plans in the works this year to revamp Highland’s largest fall festival that kicks off on Friday, September 13th and runs through Sunday, September 15th. Some of the featured attractions for this year’s festival include LIVE performances by the popular band Magic Bus, the Heavner Kid Zone, a Motorcycle Rally Poker Run, Pancake Breakfast, an artisan market, a classic car show, a 5K/10K Run/Walk and many other family and pet friendly activities.

Visitors are invited to kick up their heels on Friday, September 13th with the annual HeyDays Square Dance sponsored by the Highland Equestrian Conservancy and taking place in Highland’s historical dance hall behind Highland Feed & Supply. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and the proceeds will benefit the Aicardi Foundation. The dance will run from 7pm to 9pm with plenty of food and fun for the entire family, so come on out.

The fun continues on Saturday, September 14th from 11am to 11pm with highlights such as the White Lake Farmers Market, children’s activities, pet demonstrations, giveaways, pony rides, artist exhibits, the computer gaming tent, classic car show, live music and football broadcast in the beer tent. The Highland United Methodist Church starts the day with a 5K/10K Run/Walk beginning at 8am at the church, and ending on main festival grounds. Please contact the church for more information on how to register. Throughout the day, Bill’s Southern BBQ will be on site near Veteran’s Park with the delicious Pulled Pork and more mouth-watering barbecue.

This year, the White Lake Farmers’ Market will be participating in Highland HeyDays both Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 1pm. The vendors are coming out to showcase their homemade crafts and talents. The White Lake Farmer’s Market hopes to make the Community more aware of what the Market has to offer. This will feature crafts, homemade baked goods and fresh, local homegrown produce with some local talent (weather permitting).

The Huron Valley Council for the Arts is proud to present two of the outstanding Highland HeyDays festival events. The annual It’s All About the Horse artist exhibit is open all day Saturday and Sunday and features area artists’ finest horse related works submitted in the hopes of receiving one of the many cash awards given for their artistic merit. In addition on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm visitors can shop the 3rd annual Trunk & Tailgate Art & Supplies Sale. Find hundreds of discounted pieces of artwork and supplies on sale from artists all over Huron Valley.

The Huron Valley Recreation & Community Education will host the ‘Mutt Strut’. You and your furry pal can check in at 9:30am for this mild, one mile walk that begins at Highland Elementary School and ends at the HVCRE booth on John street. Community Sharing volunteers will be on hand with fun pet contests for participants and other festival attendees. The registration fee for the ‘Mutt Strut’ is $15 with proceeds going to benefit the Community Sharing Pet Pantry.

As the sun sets, the main entertainment stage heats up with LIVE music from some of the region’s top talent.  Take the greatest songs from three of the most influential years in pop music history, combine it with six veteran musicians who have the passion to bring them to life and what do you get? Magic Bus just one of this year’s headline acts. Also included in this incredible lineup is Shotgun Willie home-grown Michigan boys who have performed all over the nation! They play a variety of genres including blues, country, Motown, pop, and classic rock all the way up to and including modern influences such as Kid Rock! Audrey Ray takes the stage bringing hot country music with a touch of Americana. The live music line-up will begin at dusk and will wrap up at 11pm.

The fun continues Sunday, September 15th with many returning activities and a few new ones. The day will begin with the War Dog demonstration, 9/11 Memorial, and a Pancake Breakfast. The Pancake Breakfast will begin at 8:00am at the Highland Adult Activity Center, and benefit the Highland Firefighters and the Activity Center. Tickets are available in advance, or at the door. Prices are only $6 for adults, $5 for children and active military is FREE to attend.

Sunday will also feature the incredible Rock ‘N Roll K-9’s. These dogs entertain the crowd by essentially “dancing” to music and demonstrating their agility. This crowd-pleasing attraction has been featured on Fox 2 News, and will again be showcasing their talent at Highland’s Fall Festival! This expanding street fair has been attended by thousands and is continually growing to showcase the heart of Highland in a festival for the whole family.

This expanding street fair has been attended by thousands and is continually growing to showcase the heart of Highland. Many of the area’s groups and non-profit organizations; such as, the Highland Downtown Development Authority, Highland-White Lake Business Association, Huron Valley Recreation and Community Education, Highland Adult Activity Center, Huron Valley Council for the Arts, Veterinary Care Specialists, Community Sharing, the Brighton and Highland Veterans Associations, and the Highland United Methodist Church have come together to make this regional festival a must attend event for the whole family. For additional information on the festival events, or on how to participate on any of the weekend’s festivities or to volunteer, please visit www.HighlandHeyDays.com or call the Highland White Lake Business Association office at (248) 889-1422.