Highland HeyDays trots into town on Saturday, Sept. 8

Highland HeyDays is just around the corner and will feature plenty of good times for all family members — including the four-legged kind.

Highland HeyDays is a two-day family festival held in downtown Highland Township geared toward bringing families, friends, neighbors, and pets together to celebrate the Highland community.

This will be the second year of the two-day festival after local organizations decided to combine what was an annual square dance with a pet awareness day: The Highland Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Horsin’ Around in Highland had been a staple in the community for the past several years as a time for residents to cut loose with a square dance.

HeyDays will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. with the Mutt Strut hosted by Huron Valley Recreation and Community Education. The Mutt Strut is a one-mile walk beginning at the corner of Harvey Lake Road and Livingston Road at the Spring Mills dam.

Children’s activities, face painting, pony rides, and a petting zoo will all be available. Meanwhile, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, there will be vendors lining the streets featuring local businesses, rescue groups, pet groups, food, and more.

The Huron Valley Milford High School baseball team will be hosting a euchre tournament from 5 to 7 p.m. with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m.

A beer tent will also be a highlight of the weekend. Sponsored by Miller Lite, the Comeback Inn, and the Highland-White Lake Business Association, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Comcast will also be broadcasting college football games in the beer tent.

The barn dance will be held on the east side of Livingston Road from 7 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Highland Feed and the Highland Equestrian Conservancy, the annual dance will benefit the Aicardi Foundation and feature special guest caller Glen Morningstar.

There will also be food, raffles, and a DJ.

The pet awareness portion of the event will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature vendors, pet demonstrations, pet rescue groups, displays, and information. Rock ‘N Roll K-9s will be performing again, and the Huron Valley Council for the Arts will have its outdoor art exhibit on display all weekend.

Admission to Highland HeyDays is free.