Sixth Annual Harvest of Arts Oktoberfest Coming Up in Saline

Saline, Michigan, located just southwest of Ann Arbor, was named by the French in the 18th century for its salt springs. Now an affluent city of over 8,000 in Washtenaw county noted for its great schools, Saline has been frequently recognized by CNN Money as one of the best places to live and retire. It is is also the site of two popular festivals, the Celtic Festival in July and the Oktoberfest in late September.

On September 26, Saline will host the sixth annual Harvest of Arts Oktoberfest. German activities, music, food and drink will all be available from 9am - 11pm, with children's activities from 10am - 4pm and a beer garden from 11am - 11pm.

The festivities will include a sale of delicious baked goods created by award-winning Culinary Arts students. Additionally, working in teams, Saline firefighters and Culinary Arts students will cook up 10 exciting varieties of piping hot chili - enjoy the opportunity to sample unique chili recipes served with a chunk of homemade cornbread. You'll enjoy a variety of German beers and other authentic German cuisine.

Kids are sure to enjoy the Bixby Puppetry Festival. The Puppetry Festival is the brainchild of Meredith Bixby, who for more than 40 years has created marionette shows for both local and national audiences. This will be a terrific opportunity for kids of all ages to see fantastic puppet shows performed by area professionals, as well as creating their very own handmade puppets. Don't forget the Baker's Nook Kinderplatz - a play area featuring Chamberlain's Live Petting Zoo and pony rides, an inflatable bouncer, an obstacle course, and make-n-take crafts.

New to this year's festival is a 5K/10K Volksmarch, a great opportunity for Oktoberfest-goers to work off all of the previously mentioned delectable treats. This is a leisurely, noncompetitive walk, with routes leading through downtown Saline and two historic districts. The walk is open to people of all ages and abilities, and pets on leashes are welcome to join in. Walks can begin any time between 9:00am and noon, starting at the Kinderplatz.
Saline is also the regular home (throughout the year) to the Ann Arbor Antiques Market, the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society, and a variety of other cultural and social programs. This delightful community offers a superior quality of life; visitors and residents alike love the small-town charm of Saline.

Among other attractions, Saline is home to Wellers', the former Henry Ford mill and factory, which is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The city is also the site of the Rentschler Farm Museum, which features a fully restored windmill, as well as a farmhouse depicting 1930s farm life. Both buildings are a tribute to the economic history of the city. Currently, most working residents of Saline are employed in the automotive industry or by the University of Michigan.

Martin Bouma - your Ann Arbor neighborhood expert - can meet virtually all of your Saline and Ann Arbor real estate needs. Whether you're buying or selling a home, the Bouma Group can answer any questions you have about real estate in Ann Arbor. Interested in Washtenaw County, or a specific Ann Arbor neighborhood? Call the Bouma Group today! And don't forget to check out our Condo Hotline - we've got a handle on the Ann Arbor condominium market.