If you're considering a relocation to the Metro Detroit area, our REALTORS® recommend Howell, MI. It's a small city with a family-friendly feeling and an excellent selection of homes. It's close enough to Detroit to keep your in-town job and far enough away to escape big-city congestion.

If you haven't had a chance to tour Howell homes for sale, now is a perfect time. The weather's still beautiful. The kids are still out of school. If you plan your trip now, you can be there for the Howell Melon Festival.

Howell Melon Festival August 17 - 19, 2018

There's a legend or two behind the delicious Howell melon. During the Great Depression, a wanderer (or a hobo) gave the seeds to a guy named Gus (aka August Schmitt.) Or perhaps Gus got them from a guy who got them from his brothers in Ohio. However these seeds arrived in Howell, farmers eventually planted them. The result was a sweet reputation for the Howell Honey Melon.

That beloved melon has been the heart of an annual celebration for nearly six decades. Festival-goers enjoy melon ice cream, train rides, food, entertainment, and a whimsical Chalk Art Contest. It's three days of special events, all designed to celebrate the Howell Melon. Here are a few festival favorites.

• Kids' Carnival
  Children enjoy hours of bouncy-house fun during all three festival days. You'll find the Kid's Carnival at the Hive Youth Services Center on Walnut St. Children must purchase a wristband to enter.
  
  
• 41st Annual Melon Run
  The Melon Run begins with a series of family-friendly run/walk events starting at 6:00 pm on Friday, August 17. Visit the festival website to see the participant age ranges for the Melon Roll, Tot Trot, Mascot Dash, and 1-Mile Fun Run. At 7:00 pm the 5k/10k marathon begins. Runners will follow a USTAF certified course through Lakeview Cemetery, Howell City Park, and downtown.
  
  
• Howell Music Festival Tent
  The Music Festival Tent presents live entertainment, food, and games all three days and Friday and Saturday evenings. Kids are welcome until 9:00 pm. Vendors will sell wine and craft beer after 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. Tent hours on Sunday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, with no alcohol sales.
  
  
• Doc May's Melon Ride
  The late Doc May was a Melon Festival founder. Each year the event honors him with a 15-mile bicycle tour. The Memorial Melon Ride begins on Saturday at 9 am at the Howell Courthouse lawn.
  
  
• The Mainstage
  The Drew Hale Band plays live music at the Mainstage on Saturday, August, 18 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
  
  
• Kids' Melon Patch
  The Howell Courthouse lawn hosts the Kids' Melon Patch on August 18 and 19. Children enjoy giant-sized games, and watch live performances by "Animal Magic."
  
  
• Fine Arts & Crafts
  Choose locally crafted goods at the festival Fine Arts & Crafts market. Artists and Crafters sell from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on August 18 and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on August 19.
  
  
• Ultimate Air Dogs
  The Ultimate Air Dogs canine athletes are a festival favorite. They perform during scheduled shows on August 18 and 19 in front of the Howell LIbrary on W. Grand River Ave.

Your Howell Real Estate Professionals

If you'd like to know more about living in Southeast Michigan, we have plenty of information to share. Contact us when you're ready to start your search for homes in Howell.