From farm to Femmes to Comic Con: Things to do this weekend

This weekend in metro Detroit will bring lots of fun, from a pop-culture extravaganza with celebrity appearances in Novi, to exhilarating bouncing adventures in Fraser, captivating performances under a big tent in Ann Arbor, tons of flowers at Eastern Market in Detroit, a live performance by Violent Femmes in Detroit, and fun on the farm in Northville.

Here are some things to do for the weekend of May 17-19:

Motor City Comic Con

One of the largest pop-culture events in the Midwest, Motor City Comic Con brings together comic book and multimedia dealers showcasing a variety of pop-culture merchandise. There will be comics, art, T-shirts, movie memorabilia, posters, and more. The event boasts more than 250 comic book creators, writers and artists, along with appearances by actors from the television and movie industry.

Among the star-studded lineup, expect to see Katee Sackhoff, Simon Kassianides, Giancarlo Esposito, Helen Hunt, Charlie Hunnam, Zachary Levi, and William Shatner, among others, making guest appearances at the event.

Noon-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River in Novi. Children 5 and under are free all weekend with a paid adult. Sunday is Kids Day where all kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult.

The Big Bounce America

The Big Bounce American Tour rolls into metro Detroit with eight massive inflatable attractions offering 24,000-square feet of bouncing excitement. Among the highlights are a new deep sea foam party inflatable; a sprawling 900-foot-long obstacle course with 50 different challenges; a sports arena with basketball hoops; a three-piece space-themed wonderland; and a slide that lands you into a ball pit.

Adding to the fun are oversized characters of various colors, shapes and sizes, as well as a stage were the resident DJ spins tunes tailored to each age group while hosting games and competitions. Sessions are organized by age, ranging from tiny tots to adult-only sessions.

Saturday and Sunday and May 24-26 at Steffens Park, 33000 Garfield in Fraser. Tickets start at $22, and it's recommended to purchase advanced tickets through thebigbounceamerica.

Water Circus

Prepare to be transported back in time with Cirque Italia’s Gold Unit as they bring you an exhilarating showcase reminiscent of an era filled with hula hoops, soda fountains and the iconic Elvis Presley. International performers from Argentina, Brazil, Romania and more will captivate you with breathtaking acts under the blue and white and big top tent. Acts will include master jugglers, low wire fanatics, contortion, wild trampoline antics, and even a wheel of death.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday; and May 23-26 at Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle in Ann Arbor. Tickets for children begin at $15, while adult tickets start at $30.

Flower Day 2024

Vendors from the Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association from all over the Midwest will showcase and sell beautiful blooms and there will be added festivities for all ages. Additionally, mark your calendars for Flower Tuesday Markets on May 21 and 28th from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at sheds 5 & 6, hosted by the Eastern Market Partnership.Flower vendors will be at Shed 6 every day through Father’s Day, offering flowers from sunrise to sunset and flowers will be available to purchase during the Saturday Market throughout flower season.

Flower Day festivities will take place 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Eastern Market, 2934 Russell St. in Detroit.

Farm Fest

This fun-filled day at Maybury Farm will feature face painting, children’s games and activities, live music, farm-life demonstrations, food trucks, barbecue, wagon rides, farm animals, and more. Farmhands will bring out various animals for interactive sessions where guests can learn about rabbits, chickens, donkeys, goats, horses and sheep that call the farm home.

Also, experience farm life up close with the newest additions to the farm in the form of baby goats, lambs, chicks, turkeys, alongside the adult animals.

The event takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Maybury Farm, 50165 Eight Mile Road in Northville. General admission is $13, with an optional wagon ride available for an additional $2. Children under 2 are free.

Violent Femmes

American folk punk band from the early '80s will perform 7 p.m. Saturday at the Masonic Temple Theatre, 500 Temple Street in Detroit. Visit themasonic.com for tickets.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: From farm to Femmes to Comic Con: Things to do this weekend