Dragon on the Lake Festival

Dragon boat on Lake Orion

The Lake Orion community is celebrating art, music, dragons, and much more at the Dragon on the Lake festival from August 25th through August 28th, 2022. Festival-goers support the Orion Art Center and enjoy dragon boat races, dancing, live entertainment, food and art vendors, a lighted boat parade, and more in the downtown area.

Learn more about the festival’s fun and excitement in our video and check out their full list of activities below:

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The Great Skunk Cabbage Swamp

Just the very word swamp can conjure up images of danger lurking behind every tree, venomous snakes slithering over logs, gators hungry for human flesh, monstrously large spider webs slapping against faces and squadrons of blood-thirsty mosquitos almost making the air too thick to breathe. I prefer the words of Henry David Thoreau, “I enter the swamp as a sacred place.” Continue reading

Lights on the Lake Brightens Oakland County this Holiday Season!

Lights on the Lake in Lake Orion is a must-see light and sound display, with over 14,000 pixels synchronized to music and two different shows that run on alternating days. Head to 439 Shady Oaks to see it in person while you listen to the broadcast on 93.1 FM.

Check out our video for a preview before you go and learn what inspired Rob and Lindsey-Anne Gawthrop to create a holiday wonderland using pixels. Each individual pixel can be controlled to show any color, making all kinds of patterns possible. The show runs: Sunday–Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday–Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

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Shop Small at Oakland County Independent Toy Stores

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 FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramPinterest, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.

Dragon on the Lake: A Dragon of a Good Time in Oakland County!

A dragon boat full of paddlers takes instruction from the captain at the front of the boat. Homes along the shoreline and boats can be seen in the background.

The Lake Orion community celebrated art, music, dragons, and much more at the 10th Annual Dragon on the Lake festival last weekend, August 23rd through August 26th, 2018. Guests came from all over to support the Orion Art Center and enjoy dragon boat races, dancing, live entertainment, food and art vendors, a lighted boat parade, and more in the downtown area.

Relive the festival’s fun and excitement in our video!

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