What are the top things to do in Michigan this weekend, July 17-20, 2014? Check out Gonzo's Top 5!
INTERLOCHEN, MI -- I love being in Northern Michigan for the scenery, fresh air and great concerts.
This weekend you can escape up north for one of those great concerts at Interlochen or maybe even a festival in Gaylord. Or you can stick a little closer to home for events in Grand Rapids, Jackson or Detroit, assuming you live in those areas.
There is so much to do throughout the entire state! Just check out our events page at mlive.com/events.
Now, here is my Top 5 list of things to do:
1. Faster Horses Festival, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Little Big Town, July 18-20; Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn
It has quickly become one of the state's biggest country music festivals in terms of star power. Many of country's top entertainers and emerging acts perform on two stages. For a complete list of acts, ticket prices and camping information at fasterhorsesfestival.com.
2. Counting Crows, Toad The Wet Sprocket, 7:30 p.m. July 18, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, Detroit; 6 p.m. July 21, Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids
I love the packaging of these two '90s band, which happen to be my favorites of the decade. Fans will get a chance to hear all the hits -- Counting Crows' "Mr. Jones," "Accidentally in Love" and Toad's "All I Want," "Walk on the Ocean -- and even some new songs, too. Ticket information at olympiaentertainment.com for the Detroit show, and at meijergardens.org for the GR show.
3. Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jason Isbell, 7 p.m. July 17, Kresge Auditorium, Interlochen
This is going to be a great night of country, bluegrass and more as Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss come back to the area. If you're vacationing nearby, you might want to consider sticking around to see Five For Fighting (8 p.m. July 19). Both concerts are at Kresge Auditorium. More details about the shows at interlochen.org
4. Jennifer Nettles, 7 p.m. July 19, Meijer Gardens
The Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens continues this weekend with singer Jennifer Nettles, who is known for having one of the most powerful voices in country music. Tickets are still available. More details at meijergardens.org. By the way, MLive is giving away tickets to every single concert this summer at the Gardens. Go to mlive.com/fmgtickets to enter.
5. Alpenfest, July 15-19, Gaylord
It seems like I always have something going on this time of the year and I can't it to the area. I know I'm missing a lot of fun. Presented by the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, the festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a parade, carnival, kid's games and contests, pancake breakfast, live entertainment and the World's Largest Coffee Break. More details at gaylordalpenfest.com.
John Gonzalez is a statewide entertainment writer for MLive.com. Email him at gonzo@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.