At Straight Smiles Orthodontics, we take a lot of pride in our Michigan origins. When we aren’t building custom smile plans for families, we’re probably attending some of the amazing local festivities throughout our region! We’re going to take some time to celebrate Rochester Hills, Novi, and Shelby Township today, and several of their annual events you won’t want to miss.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival
February 22nd marks the 43rd Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival, held by the Ford Seahorses and Sea Lancers dive club. It highlights and presents information from various domestic and international scuba diving exhibitions, documents shipwrecks and maritime history, and demonstrates new cutting-edge technology in the field. For the nautical enthusiast in your family, this could be the highlight of their year!
Rochester Farmers’ Market
On Saturdays in May to October, Rochester’s famous Farmers’ Market is open to the public. You can find outstanding Michigan-made produce and products in the highlight of southeast Michigan’s growing season. Volunteers from MSU’s Master Gardener Program also contribute to this popular project. You can get a sneak peek at the full list of market vendors here.
Novi BBQ Fest: Ribs and Whiskey
Our Straight Smiles Orthodontics team can get behind this event! This festival, on May 23rd – May 26th, 2025, features mouthwatering BBQ dishes from top national pitmasters, with over 30 food vendors offering everything from ribs to brisket. Beyond the delicious food, enjoy live music and fun for all ages, including a Kids Zone. Adults can participate in contests like hot pepper eating and bourbon sampling while artisan vendors showcase unique crafts.
Rochester Makers’ Market
Immerse yourself in creativity at the Downtown Rochester Makers’ Market, an open-air showcase featuring handcrafted goods from local artisans and small businesses. From jewelry and pottery to woodworking and textiles, this vibrant event offers one-of-a-kind finds while giving you the chance to meet the makers, learn about their craft, and support their work. It will be held on June 21st, 2025.
Shelby Township Art Fair
The Shelby Township Art Fair, co-hosted by the Art Fair Committee and the Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Department, has taken place for over forty years. In its new home at River Bends Park, this event features over 120 artists and marketplace vendors, delicious food, live music, a kid’s craft area, and more! The fair provides a beautiful setting with ample parking, free shuttles, and plenty of space for entertainment and activities. Don’t miss this beloved community tradition on August 9th and 10th, 2025.
Annual Better Pie Baking Contest
Shelby Township takes excellent pie-baking very, very seriously. Each August, locals put renowned bakers to the test. Pies will be tasted in the order they’re received on contest day, and a qualifying pie should have a bottom crust, an optional top crust, and a creative filling. The contest also encourages submissions in the junior category for budding bakers under 13. 2025 dates TBA.
Downtown Rochester Taste of Fall
The greater Rochester area is home to many passionate foodies, and from September 1st – October 13th, 25+ downtown restaurants, bars, and bakeries offer fabulous fall samplings! Last year’s highlights included specialties like Harvest Maple Delight Pizza from Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta, Drunken Apple Bread Pudding from O’Connor’s Public House, and a Pumpkin Chai Latte from The Spice & Tea Exchange. Stay tuned for this year’s official lineup!
The Art and Apples Festival
This decorated event has been held since 1965 in the 30-acre Rochester Municipal Park. It’s hosted by the Paint Creek Center for the Arts and serves as the nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser. It bears a wide array of attractions, including artwork from talented artists, live performances on the Main Stage, delicious apple treats, diverse food vendors, and interactive activities at the Kids Art Zone and Creation Station. Catch the fun on September 5th-7th, 2025.
The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade
The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade, to be held on December 7th, 2025, is Michigan’s largest Christmas parade! Organized by the Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation, this beloved tradition features over 100 entries, including floats, marching bands, and community groups, along a 1.5-mile route on Rochester Road. Attracting tens of thousands of spectators, the parade culminates with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a float donated by Bordine’s Nursery. This cherished event has been a staple of the Rochester area since the 1950s.
The Many Faces of Michigan
Our home state is full of fun and steeped in history, which shows in all of these local events. All we can say at Straight Smiles Orthodontics is to watch what you eat during the festivities if you have braces—but don’t let your appliance stop you from having a great time!