October is typically a quiet month; with summer vacations and the first day of school behind us and the holidays to come. But here in Michigan, October is actually packed with lots to do, especially if you love healthy, wholesome activities you can do with friends or your whole family. Here are 10 events around the state going on this month: School Nurse 5K Run/Walk: For the past 16 years, Holland Hospital’s school nursing program has been improving the health of more than 8,000 students. This run/walk, which takes place October 1 at 6:00pm, is designed to encourage those same kids to enjoy being active. Sign up yourself and get any young people you know to join in with you—students who record 10, 30-minute exercise sessions before the race get to do it for free. Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo: Take your kids on a spooky walk at the Detroit Zoo where you’ll come upon treat stations, magicians, pumpkin carving demonstrations and the eerie Zombie Zone. It’s held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm during the first three weekends of October. Zoo Goes Boo: Everyone on the west side of the state can also experience a day of costume-filled fun by heading to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. There’s live entertainment, trick-or-treating and fun décor all around the zoo. It runs from 10:00am to 3:00pm October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. The Remembrance Run: Every year on the first Saturday in October, the women of the Traverse City Track Club organize a Remembrance Run/Walk. The event recognizes the women in the community affected by breast cancer and raises money to help with non-medical aspects of their care. Sign up to participate in the 3K obstacle course or the 5K and 1-mile run/walks. Muskegon Oktoberfest: Celebrate Michigan and German cultures with this celebration that happens in a 400-acre forest at Muskegon State Park. It has live music, food, kids, activities, craft beers and wines. Saturday, October 3 is the main event, grab your tickets here. Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival: Set your sights on 11 of Michigan’s amazing lighthouses during this four-day event which runs October 8 through 11. In addition to lighthouse-viewing, there will be boat tours, live entertainment and delicious Michigan food. The Sanctuary Inn and Conference Center in Alpena is the main site for activities, but other festivities will be going on between Tawas and Mackinaw. Tara’s Walk: Eight years ago, Tara Grant was a victim of domestic violence and lost her life. Tara’s family began this event to raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. This 5K walk/run raises money for the Tara Liberation Fund, which supplies money to women who are domestic violence survivors. The race takes place October 3 at the Freedom Hill Amphitheater in Sterling Heights and costs $20 per person (kids 12 and under are free). Flint Farmers Market Healthy Halloween: Head to the Flint Farmers Market on October 24 and have your kids experience a healthy trick-or-treat from 10:00am to noon. There will also be cooking demonstrations, hula hoop and jump rope contests and more, all with the goal of showing kids how fun it can be to eat well and be active. Teddy Bear Picnic: Have your kids grab their favorite stuffed animal and head down to the Teddy Bear Picnic at Michigan State University in East Lansing on October 10. Children will interact with medical students and volunteers from MSU’s College of Human Medicine, Nursing School and College of Osteopathic Medicine. The fun atmosphere helps teach kids that a trip to the doctor is nothing to fear—especially if a stuffed animal is involved. Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village: Enjoy this spooktacular event that happens at Dearborn’s historic Greenfield Village. Walk along the mile-long path filled with skeletons, witches, wizards, a headless horseman and more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. The fun happens the first three weekends of October and the walks will run every half hour from 6:30pm through 9:00pm. The event is free for children two and under and $16 for older kids and adults. Looking for other fun activities to do around Michigan? Here are even more ideas from this blog as well as A Healthier Michigan:
- MI Big Green Gym Kicks Off at Tahquamenon Falls State Park
- Celebrate Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day October 3
- Reasons to Love College Football Season in Michigan
Photo credit: Eric Lanning
