Happening This Week: Harry Potter Party, Festivals, the Great Outdoors and More

Looking for family friendly activities after the long holiday weekend? Patch has a list of events for the entire family.

The area Metroparks are full of events every summer. Here are a couple highlights for the upcoming week:

Where/When: Metro Beach Metropark, 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township; 7 p.m. July 5.
Why Go: Bring the kids to Metro Beach for Rosco the Clown's hot dog roast, where weenies are on the dinner menu and Rosco will amuse the kids with balloon art, magic and more.
Pricing: Event is free with vehicle pass admission, which is $5 for the day. But please call the park at (586) 463-4581 to sign up so they know how much food they'll need to serve.

Where/When: Metro Beach Metropark, 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township; 7:30 p.m. July 8.
Why Go: Enjoy an evening Voyageur canoe excursion at Metro Beach where you'll take an oar and float through the past in an 18-passenger Voyageur canoe and discover what life was like in Michigan in the fur-trader and pioneer days. For ages 8 and up.
Pricing: Cost is $4 per person. Call 586-463-4332 to register.

Where/When: Wolcott Mill Historic Center, 64162 Kunstman Road, Ray Township; 1-4 p.m. July 10.
Why Go: In a week loaded with history lessons, here's another one. This one celebrates the pioneer days, when Michigan's forests were still being settled, and people were clearing the land and readying it for farming. Attend the Sawdust Festival and get insights into that era by seeing the work these pioneers had to do, from dippling candles to sawing huge trees.
Pricing: $4 per person, ages 6 and up.

There's plenty more to do besides festivals and communing with nature, such as:

Where/When:, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 7.
Why Go: If you have a youngster who has July 15 circled on the calendar, this is the party for him or her. The library has two Harry Potter parties planned Thursday, where youngsters in grades three and up will enjoy crafts, magic, games and a couple of surprises to hold them over until the final installment in the Harry Potter movies lands in theaters on the July 15.
Pricing: Free, but registration required.

Where/When: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. July 7.
Why Go: Relive the fun at Rydell High with the Pink Ladies, hot rodders and more. The War Memorial Summer Musical Theatre Camp students present this classic drenched in 1950s nostalgia.
Pricing: $9 for adults; $6 for children and seniors.

And if you want an outdoor concert to enjoy, here are two happening very close to home:

Where/When: ,7:30-9 p.m. July 6.
Why Go: Enjoy a night in the park with a free summer concert. Tonight's act is The Shy, who'll perform a mix of pop, rock and country for the crowd.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: ; 8:30 p.m. July 8 and 9.
Why Go: Does anything say summer more than an outdoor concert followed by fireworks? If so, you'll love the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in concert at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House this weekend. Sit back and enjoy classics along the shoreline, explore the grounds of the estate, which will be open for your enjoyment, and at 10 p.m. the evening caps off with a grand fireworks finale.
Pricing: Tickets for the can be purchased in advance at www.dso.org or via the box office at (313) 576-5111, $20 for adults and $12 for children (box office only), or at the gate, tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for children. Parking is available on the grass lot directly across the street from Ford House. Cost is $2 per car.