Weekend Look: Boats, Cars, Ice Sculptures And Tail Wagging Fun!
DETROIT (WWJ) 2011 Boat Show
If you are longing for summer weather, but no budget or time to fly South for the winter, window-shopping for a luxury boat may be just the ticket to cure the winter blues.
Laurel Park Place in Livonia is presenting a Wilson Marine Boat Show beginning January 21 through January 30. If you are feeling the winter doldrums then we invite you to walk through Laurel Park Place and view the boats to be on display to bring a little sunshine to your life. Wilson Marine is well-known in the industry for winning top dealer awards in every brand and is owned and operated by the Wilson Family for over 59 years.
Wilson Marine stocks more inventory than any other dealer in the Midwest with the widest array of brands, boat models, engines, colors and equipment. They will present the best of brands and styles at Laurel Park Place along with their experienced staff to answer any questions you may have.
The event will take place over a ten-day period and will be held during mall hours, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Laurel Park Place invites customers to visit this boat show and become familiar with Wilson Boat for the boating season this year in Michigan.
Laurel Park Place, 37700 6 Mile Rd, Livonia. You can reach them at (734) 462-1100
Michigan Winter Dog Classic 
Tail-wagging fun takes over at Michigan's largest dog show, The Michigan Winter Dog Classic, Jan. 20-23, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. The event is hosted by the Livonia Kennel Club and the Oakland County Kennel Club.
More than 6,000 dogs representing 167 breeds will compete at the four-day dog show which includes an all-new beginner Puppy Special Attraction on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 9 am. The new event encourages puppies 4 to 6 months to get in the ring early and is expected to be one of the highlights of the show with 80 puppies registered.
The Michigan Winter Dog Classic will also be packed with special events and attractions, including a chance to meet actor Jon Provost who played Timmy in the original Lassie Television series from 1957-1964.
Jon will be available to meet and greet fans Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the show and will sell copies of his book Timmy's in the Well: The Jon Provost Story. Joining him will be Laddie, Jr., the 10th generation offspring of Lassie whose father was Lassie #9. Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras for photos.
Special attractions and other events include: Rock n Roll K9 Performance Team. Friday: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Duck Herding with Border Collies Friday: 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Weight Pull Demonstrations featuring Alaskan Malamutes Saturday: Noon and 3 p.m. Sunday: Noon and 3 p.m.
Police K-9 Demonstration by Macomb County Sheriff Department
Saturday: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Dog Scouts of America Demonstrations
Friday: 3 p.m.
In addition to the entertainment, the four-day event stresses education.
Visitors may talk face-to-face with experts on any dog-related topic and learn how to buy a purebred dog from a reputable breeder.
"Rescue Row" is an area of the show featuring rescue groups from all over Michigan representing more than a dozen breeds. Health clinics, obedience tips and a vendor marketplace are also part of the show.
The Michigan Winter Dog Classic hours are Thursday, Noon-6 pm and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A judging schedule will be posted at http://www.themichiganwinterdogclassic.com/ and Best in Show awards are at approximately 5 p.m. daily.
Tickets are available at the door each day of the show. Individual tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children ages 7-12. Those 6 and younger are free. A discounted family pack is $35 and includes admission for two adults and three kids. Group tickets are $4 per person for groups of 12 or more.
The Rock Financial Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Ave., between Novi and Beck roads, in Novi. Parking is $5 per car, per day.
The Plymouth Ice Festival
The 29th annual Plymouth Ice Festival storms into Plymouth, January 21-23, 2011. Formerly known as the Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular, the official 2011 Plymouth Ice Festival will bring a new name, a new look and several new outdoor exhibits into the heart of downtown Plymouth.
Created specifically for the love of winter, the revamped Plymouth Ice Festival will feature over 100 ice sculptures, live music and entertainment, interactive family shows, winter-themed tasty treats and a variety of additional events to interest all ages. Several new event highlights include the Dueling Chainsaws Speed Carving Show, Forest Avenue Scavenger Hunt, Penniman Ave., Petting Farm & Pony Rides. Many of the Downtown Plymouth merchants will also be holding individualized in-store events offering discounts and giveaways. An estimated 100,000 people are slated to attend the three-day event.
The Plymouth Ice Festival has ranked among the top ice festivals in the United States by promoting ice sculpture as an art form through competitions, demonstrations and seminars with standardized judging and exhibitions.
2011 Event Demonstration and Activity Dates and Times:
Friday, January 21st – 3:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, January 22nd – 10:00am to 11:00pm
Sunday, January 23rd – 10:00am to 6:00pm
The ice sculptures are available for viewing 24 hours a day.
2011 North American International Auto Show
Don't forget this is the final weekend for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Click on here for your guide to the auto show.
