JUNE 12, 2026 SUMMER FUN gardens are known for photo shoots. When we arrived it was packed with around 50 people lounging around on the hill and walking with dogs and babies in buggies. There were families and young people doing glamour shots for uploading online fun, and amateur and professional photographers taking photos of the blooming peonies. The gardens are so wonderful with CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Spring has sprung and the wonderful floral colors have bloomed more vibrantly this year after the pro-Palestinian political protest of last year which resulted in their being cut down. My friend and I took a short trip to the University of Michigan Botanical Gardens, located in the Nichols Arboretum. The brides on Sunday mornings love having their photos taken at the wonderful peony gardens, all in their beautiful dresses with the bridesmaids. The many varieties of peonies. What I find so amazing is the mixed colors — white and red, yellow and deep red. The sun was shining in the evening and the colors were visually powerful. It felt like I had stepped into a living garden and the shining fairies were going to dance among the flowers right before our eyes. Dogs are permitted but must all be well-behaved and on short leashes due to the crowd. This event only lasts around three weeks, from the middle of May to the middle of June. A visit to the peony gardens is one small event that feels more like a mini vacation in Ann Arbor. A location where you can take photographs, draw or paint and stroll after church or take the family for fun. This garden is also a place to maybe see a fairy or two sitting community EVENTS 32ND ANNUAL JUNETEENTH: NAACP A2 BRANCH Saturday, June 13, 12-6 p.m. Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave at Depot. Gathering at Wheeler Park to honor the June 19, 1865 announcement of the emancipation from slavery in Texas and other locations in the southwestern U.S. The park is named in honor of Ann Arbor's first and only Black Mayor, Albert Wheeler. Kids' activities and games, food, vendors, crafts and other items for sale. Preceded at 10 a.m. by a unity march to Wheeler Park. Gather at 9:30 a.m. in Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller. YPSI ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION June 19-21, University Bank Commerce Center parking lot. 301 W Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti. Friday, June 19, 5:30 p.m. Ypsilanti’s first-ever Juneteenth parade led by Mayor Nicole Brown, Washtenaw County Commissioner Crystal Lyte, and community organizer Trische Duckworth. Followed by entertainment by DJ BUff1 and R&B by Detroit soul singer Alise King. Food and drink concessions. Bring your own chair. Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m. Live musical performances (times TBA) by local rappers Prince Marc Jakob and Kid Jay, and Ypsilanti soul singers Nikki Gio and Lakesia Charese, followed by headliners gospel-flavored blues band Lady Sunshine and the X Band and Detroit Gospel singer Marcus Cole. Sunday, June 21, 1 p.m. fellowship service featuring speaker Tyra Hill of Tyra Hill Ministries, followed by a gospel concert (3 p.m.) featuring David Whitfield & DWP, Detroit gospel singer Bam Travis, the gospel ensemble Joy Quarter, and more. Music spun throughout the day by DJ Helluva. ARGUS SUMMER ARTISAN MARKET Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Argus Farm Stop - Packard, 1200 Packard St. Ann Arbor Show and sale of handmade goods by 20 local artisans. JAYCEES SUMMER CARNIVAL Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28. Thurs and Friday opens at 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at 12 p.m. Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Blvd. Four days of rides, games, food and family fun. There is a $10 minimum purchase required to enter. Unlimited ride wristbands sell for $35 (cash). Ride tickets cost $1.50 each. You can purchase a sheet of 50 ride tickets for $60 (cash). Most rides require 3-6 tickets with a few exceptions for premium rides. Height restrictions apply. GROWING HOPE COMMUNITY POTLUCK Friday, June 26, 5-7 p.m. Growing Hope, 922 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsi. Join us at Growing Hope Urban Farm for our second potluck of the season — a joyful gathering where community comes together to share a meal, celebrate the land that feeds us, and share a vision for food justice in Ypsilanti. Bring a dish to share! Please note this is not at the downtown Farmers Marketplace location. ANN ARBOR BIKE PARTY Friday, June 26, 7 p.m. Meet at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street. All are invited to ride along on this slow, 8-10 mile bike ride through Ann Arbor, suitable for all ages and abilities. Safety and silliness are the priorities. BIG PLAY DAY Friday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor. A family-friendly event offering dynamic outdoor play opportunities, open-ended nature explorations, and guided activities suitable for all ages. If the event is canceled due to weather, an update will be posted to mbgna.umich.edu/big-play-day. Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@ groundcovernews.com Some peonies have a nice scent but Groundcover hasn't quite figured out how to publish scratch and sniff photos! on a stem of the branches — you never know. As always, you will feel love in the air with the fragrance of the blissful peonies. The U-M botanical gardens have activities for kids all summer long which can be found on their web site, m b g n a .umic h .e du/ nichols-arboretum GROUNDCOVER NEWS Take a stroll through peony gardens while they last! 9
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