Swing Dancers Return to Downtown Farmington

Swinginfusion occupies the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion on Thursday nights with a young crowd of dancers showing off some good old-fashioned moves.

Swinginfusion, a swing dance club with roots in Farmington, began its outdoor season Thursday night at the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion. Events continue there through the end of August; the year-round group then moves indoors. Spectators are welcome, and Swinginfusion plans to host a community dance with live music sometime in August. For more information, visit swinginfusion.com.

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Farmers Market to Move During Downtown Farmington Construction

Downtown Development Authority and city officials continue to work with merchants concerned about parking near their businesses.

The Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market will move this season, but not because of parking concerns raised on Jan. 28 by downtown merchants.  Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director Annette Knowles said Monday that construction on Grove Street adjacent to the market's home at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion will mean a temporary relocation of the popular market, due to potential "danger to the public".  "That decision was under consideration before the meeting (with merchants)," Knowles said.  The idea of moving the market's May 4 start date was considered, but the DDA has already promoted the date with vendors, Knowles said. The market will be located in the western-most parking lot on the south side of …

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

What Farmers Market Changes Would You Support to Help Downtown Farmington Merchants?

We've created a poll with reader suggestions to help businesses affected by the market. Let us know which (if any) you support.

A group of downtown Farmington merchants have asked Downtown Development Authority officials to consider changes to the popular Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market, which is open Saturdays May through early November at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion and Riley Park.  We've rounded up suggestions made in comments on our initial story, as well as on our Facebook page. Tell us in today's poll which option you support or share your thoughts with a comment.  Then take a look at what's on our calendar today, as well as a list of events for which you'll have to register or buy a ticket later in the week: Check our calendar for more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the week. If your event isn't listed, …

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Mary Templeton

11:19 am on Monday, February 4, 2013

Hard to see how moving what is a successful draw for potential customers will help fill the empty stores downtown. How would that convince new businesses to open there? Seems to me to be a negative move. What happens if all those stores fill up, creating more demand for parking? I've been to the market nearly every week it's open. You may have to look a bit, but there's always a space reasonably …   more ›

What You Need to Know About Farmington Area Dec. 1 Holiday Extravaganza

Saturday activities and events include a Gifts and Greens Market, Santa visits, stories, crafts, tree lighting and much more.

If you don't have the holiday spirit after Saturday, it won't be for lack of opportunities to find it.  Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch has your guide to a wide range of activities and events happening in Farmington and Farmington Hills on Dec. 1, from Holly Days to a Kwanzaa celebration. And if you see an event we missed, let us know in the comments!  Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a visit with Santa, then stay for a family craft time. Cost for breakfast is $5, $3 for ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5. There's a $5 per family fee for craft materials. 8 a.m. Orchard United Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington Rd., Farmington Hills. There will be three seatings for this Swedish breakfast, featuring coffee, tea, fruit soup, …

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Harvest Moon Dance Draws Hundreds to Downtown Farmington

Scoot Magoo performs on a clear mild night at the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion.

Traffic held steady through the wrist band line at Friday night's Harvest Moon Dance, as an estimated 700 to 800 people enjoyed food from local restaurants, a selection of beers and wines and music by Detroit-area rock band Scoot Magoo.  Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director Annette Knowles said she expected the crowd at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion to swell when the Farmington High School football game ended. (The Falcons defeated Rochester Adams 41-29.)  The celebration continues Saturday, with activities including a Harvest Market at the pavilion and activities for children in Memorial Park, along with the Farm to Table dinner Saturday night. Learn more in Need to Know: Downtown Farmington Harvest Moon …

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Harvest Moon Kicks Off with Beer, Wine Event Thursday

The 3-day celebration includes a Friday dance, Harvest Market and Farm to Table Dinner.

Downtown Farmington's Harvest Moon Celebration kicks off Thursday, with the third annual beer and wine tasting, 6 -11 p.m., at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion and Riley Park.  A selection of handpicked crafted beers from the Great Lakes Region and around the world, and 30 unique wines and meads, will be available, for adults 21 and older. Tickets are $8 at the door.  Special guests include Rex Halfpenny of the Michigan Beer Guide and wine guru Lee Hershey. Halfpenny is a leader in beer tasting and has been a panel judge for the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, the two largest commercial competitions in America. Hershey has been the wine teacher at Schoolcraft College for nearly 30 years and was recently …

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Family Fun Audience Stuffs a Bus with Books for Schools, Nonprofits, Seniors

Some of the hundreds of books will also stock the shelves at the Farmington Community Library Friends book sale.

Families who enjoyed an entertaining night Aug. 8 in downtown Farmington also helped to "stuff a bus" with books that will promote the love of reading on many fronts.  At the Family Fun in Riley Park show featuring Kevin Kammeraad, SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) and the Farmington Community Library invited patrons to bring new or gently used books to help stuff a bus. The initiative was sponsored by SMART, and benefited the library. The Farmington Friends of the Library collected over 1,700 books, nearly half of them were brought to the concert. The other books were delivered to the collection boxes at both branches. “What a great evening and a wonderful setting for all of us to promote our services, and …

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YouTube Video of the Week: Rampage Swing Preview

On Aug. 16, the band featured in this video will perform for Swinginfusion in downtown Farmington.

Have you see the Swinginfusion dancers who gather at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion on Thursday nights? They put on a great show and will even teach you a few swing dance steps, if you're so inclined.  On Aug. 16, 8:30 p.m., the group hosts a live band, Rampage Swing, and this week's YouTube.com video features DJ Alexander Steward introducing a clip of the band performing in Ann Arbor. Admission for the Aug. 16 event is $5.  Have you spotted or uploaded a Youtube.com video we should highlight? Send the URL to joni.hubred-golden@patch.com.

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5 Things You Should Know Today - Aug. 7, 2012

As you receive your new, larger recycling bin, remember that Farmington Schools can make use of your old one.

As Waste Management rolls out wheeled recycling bins in Farmington and Farmington Hills, your old bin can inspire future generations of environmentalists.  Here's what else you should know today:   Once you've got your new, larger recycling bin, you can donate your old bin to Farmington Public Schools' recycling program. Bins can be dropped off at the FPS Facilities Maintenance Building, 29350 10 Mile Rd. (northwest corner at Middlebelt) or the City of Farmington Hills Public Works Building, 27245 Halsted Rd. If you're 55 or older, you can take advantage of these classes offered at the Orchard Ridge campus. The 42 varied and interactive classes cover topics in art, politics, science, literature and music. Registration materials are …

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