Fairs & fun for everyone: Highlights of the area’s most fascinating festivals.

Jun 5, 2002 at 12:00 am

Audio By Carbonatix

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June 14-16 • The Earth Harp — As the largest stringed instrument in the world, file the Earth Harp under "you have to see it to believe it." Five miles of brass wires (the longest of which is about 300 feet long) will be strung between buildings on the Windsor waterfront, using their architectural qualities as a walk-in resonating chamber to create one of the largest sound installations in the world. The Earth Harp will be one of the main attractions of the three-day Fifth Annual Windsor Celtic Festival. Call 519-253-8065 for information.

June 14-July 7 • Top of the Park Series — Strangely enough, one of the best ways to spend a nice summer evening in Ann Arbor is atop a parking structure (the Power Center Parking Structure at 121 Fletcher, to be exact.) Every evening of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival there will be music, films or both on top of the park. Some of our favorites: The boogie-stomp blues of Al Hill opening for Hitchcock’s The Birds (June 19), the soul-filled sound of the Wtichdoctors with Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 20) and the revved-up hillbilly swing of the Cigar Store Indians with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (July 3). Call 734-647-2278 for the complete listings.

July 3-7 • Tastefest — With it’s jaw-dropping roster of local and national entertainers and mouth-watering food vendors, the 2002 Tastefest will overwhelm the senses. Eating some barbecue ribs with a little Von Bondies? Jerk chicken with a side of Joan Jett? Dr. John and Carl Craig with some Cajun? In a word: delicious! It takes place in the heart of the New Center area; call 313-872-0188 for information.

Aug. 20-Sept. 2 • Michigan State Fair — The undeniable (albeit somewhat seedy) appeal of the Michigan State Fair is the final word of Detroit summers. It’s about the pig races and carnival rides, elephant ears and the world’s largest stove. And looking down Woodward while high atop the Ferris wheel, it can be about a whole lot more — the State Fair is the quintessential endcap to a summer in the city. It all happens at the State Fairgrounds, Woodward and Eight Mile in Detroit; call 313-369-8250 for information.