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Shop Small at Oakland County Independent Toy Stores

Oakland County, MI Government 1 Comment

Shopping small is a great way to support local businesses and find the perfect gift for anyone on your list this holiday season and throughout the year. Oakland County is home to several independent toy stores that offer a variety of specialty toys and gifts. Check out our full list of independently owned toy and gift stores:

Independent Toy Stores in Oakland County

Surprise the little ones in your life with something they’ll treasure from a local toy store. Find classic kid favorites as well as the latest and greatest toys at Adventures in Toys in Birmingham, The Village Toy Shoppe in Milford, and Funky Monkey Toys in Oxford.

For the hard to shop for on your list, check out unique stores featuring Michigan-made, whimsical, and lifestyle gifts at Catching Fireflies in Berkley or Rochester, Green Hippo Gifts in Lake Orion, or Leon and Lulu in Clawson.

Looking for something specific? Check out our interactive map of toy stores and use the legend to sort by different types of specialty shops: Collectibles; Comics; Dolls; Games; Hobby; Magic; Anime, Manga & Kawaii; Blocks & Robots; Toys; and Toys & Gifts.

Map of many different toy stores across Oakland County.

Do you know of any other independent toy or gift stores in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, by contacting us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leaving a comment below.

Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.

Holiday Celebrations Throughout Oakland County

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Twin, decorated trees covered in twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments sit on either side of a lit fireplace.

The excitement and anticipation that arrives with the holiday season is in the air. During this celebratory time, there are many seasonal events happening in Oakland County. You’ll find everything from parades, light shows, and seasonal excursions to special performances, holiday markets, and craft fairs.

View our list of holiday happenings using the button below:

List of Holiday Happenings in Oakland County

Signature events include the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights, the Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester, and the Dickens Festival in Holly. Whether you’re searching for something to do with your kids, friends, or family, you are sure to find a jolly time in Oakland County!

Twinkling lights illuminate two giraffe stands at the entrance of the Detroit Zoo.

Do you know about a holiday celebration happening in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, by contacting us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leaving a comment below.

Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.

Donate to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Coats for the Cold

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Four young girls bundled up in winter coats drinking hot chocolate.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations for the 31st annual “Coats for the Cold” coat drive from November 1st to November 30th. Clean, gently-used or new coats can be dropped off at one of their drop-off sites around Oakland County. All Oakland County locations of Real Estate One HQ and Genisys Credit Union are drop-off sites. Additionally, donors will receive up to $50 off the cost of a pet adoption ($10 per donated coat, up to five coats) at the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center.

For a list of all drop-off sites, click the button below:

Coats for the Cold Drop-Off Sites

Donated coats will be sent to various local charitable organizations who distribute the coats to community members in need.

Continue reading →

Check Out Oakland County’s Crowdsourced Halloween Displays Map

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Lit Jack O' Lanterns lined up on a stone wall and in another line on the ground on a dark night. The white Van Hoosen Museum stands in the background next to a tree with orange foliage.

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N is coming! Get into the spooky spirit of the season with a visit to the best Halloween Light Displays in Oakland County, Michigan and beyond. Whether you want to show off your own Halloween decor, or take a drive to check out other displays, Oakland County’s Crowdsourced Halloween Light Displays Map can help.

Submitting is Easy!

How does it work? You can submit festive displays from your home or business to the Oakland County Crowdsourced Halloween Displays Map and once approved, the homes and businesses will show up on the map for users to visit in person.

A screen shot of Oakland County's 2018 Holiday LIght Displays Map. The map is dark gray and the cities are listed in white text. Purple pinpoints indicate which cities have a display. The right side of the page opens up with a photo of the display that's being clicked on. It shows a photo of pumpkins lined up on stone wall at night with text about the location. Continue reading →

Run Like the Wind in Oakland County This Fall

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
A group of runners jog down a paved path on a sunny fall day. The leaves on the trees at the edge of the trail are mostly green, just starting to change to fall colors.

Many say autumn is the best season to be a runner. Between cooler temperatures and leaves changing color, jogging outdoors during fall is a great experience! In fact, many folks fall in love with running and walking outside during this special time of year.

Take a look at our list of fall running events before you take a step outdoors. Signing up for a race today can help you stay motivated and engaged for the rest of the season. On our list, you’ll discover events for every skill level, including full marathons, mile walks, fun runs, and more.

List of Fall Running Events in Oakland County

Events include the Tender Turtle 5k in Lake Orion, Outrun Hunger in Commerce Township, and the Frightful 5K in Troy. Participating in these or any of the other happenings on our list is great for your entire body. To stay in tip-top shape while attending, be sure to follow these simple tips for safe running during the fall:

  • Dress appropriately. Wear layers, invest in proper footwear, and be sure to check the weather before heading out.
  • Stay hydrated. Water is the most important thing to bring with you on a walk, jog, or run; it keeps you energized and working hard.
  • Prepare for the end of daylight saving time. The clocks fall an hour back on November 4th, 2018.

Do you know of any other fall running events in the Oakland County area? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter, contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com, or leave a comment below.

Visit the Oakland County website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more news and fun year round. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.