This is a guest blog post by Tammy Staley from Midlife Milestones.
Michigan International Speedway or MIS as locals call it is an amazing family friendly place. You don’t have to be a NASCAR race fan to enjoy a day or weekend at MIS. Let me give your the ins and outs of visiting Michigan International Speedway so you get the best out of your visit.
Race Weekends
MIS has two race weekend each and every year. The first one is in June and then a second one in August. I would give you the names of the races but they seem to change each year. Both weekends are NASCAR charged and all the best drivers show up in the Irish Hills/Brooklyn area.
The small town of Brooklyn Michigan’s population soars from just under 2000 to well over 35,000 people on race weekends. MIS becomes its own city for 6 days a year. Actually die hard NASCAR fans are usually camped out at the gates sometimes a week early.
When you attend a NASCAR race at Michigan’s 2 mile oval track it is so much more than just a race. There are hundreds of booths selling NASCAR products. Food of all varieties and types as well as many different activities for the family. You never really know what Michigan International Speedway has in store for you. It could be race cars you can get into, carnival games, or live music.
Tips for Raceweekends
No matter where you visit having some inside tips can make that visit so much better. MIS is really no different here are some things you need to know.
- Wear sun screen, MIS has no shade and I mean no shade. It is completely open area and even the campsites has a little shade. They sell it there but you will pay out the nose for it!
- Only soft sided coolers are allowed inside the track. If you bring anything else they will make you throw it out.
- Bring ear plugs as the cars are loud, you really don’t understand how loud until you are setting on the side lines.
- Wear sunglasses of some kind, if not glasses have a ball cap or visor. The sun can become brutal when you are there all day. These are just like the sun screen you can buy it but it will cost you.
- If you see something at a booth you like, just remember where it is, it is possible it is cheaper or better quality further down the way. But keep in mind the item may not be there when you go back.
- All booths inside MIS are run by local groups and it is usually their only fundraiser for the year. So if you do purchase from a booth ask who they are working for and try to help out one that is supporting kids.
- At the end of the races the local Boy Scouts come in and clean up. MIS allows them to keep all cans they collect for their pack. If you do visit please clean up after yourself our scouts work really hard for those cans.
- Bring a cushion or stadium seat to set, the bleachers are very hard and can be very uncomfortable after you set there awhile.
Faster Horses
July brings us the Faster Horses event which is the premier country festival, a full weekend of Nashville’s best all in one place. Usually three massive stages that are going all at the same time. You can camp out and spend the whole weekend. During the daylight hours this is a great country music festival. After hours it is more for the adults and can get pretty crazy.
Spirit of America Blood Drive
While this is not a festival it is a huge event in the Brooklyn area and people come from all over the US to participate. The Spirit of America Blood Drive started off the year after the 9/11 disaster and has continued every year on 9/11. The American Red Cross started this event but it is now run by Michigan blood.
This event honors all those who lost their lives in the 9/11 disaster with a beautiful memorial. The field of flags can bring you to tears. Volunteers place one flag for each person who was lost that terrible day. MIS pulls our all the stops and lets you have a tram ride around the race track, provides you with a delicious meal in the champions club and also a goodie bag.
All that and more for donating one pint of blood that will end up saving three people’s lives. Even if you try and can’t give you still get the special treatment. This is your chance to see the racetrack without the crowds and maybe even take a race car around the track.
Nite Lites
From November 28 – December 31 Michigan International Speedway puts on Nite Lites. This drive through Christmas light spectacular can really put you into the Christmas spirit. As with all things that MIS does this is not a small drive through. Each year they add more lights and now the kids can visit with Santa Claus get their photo taken and tell him their wish list!
While the light show is open every night from 5:30p – 9p Santa is only there on the weekends. Bring the family for a full evening of winter wonderland fun and come see the live reindeer and have their photos taken with Santa. Plus they offer train rides around the track.
The cost is $25 per car and $40 per minivan. Photos with Santa are available for an extra fee but be sure it will be an enjoyable night for the whole family. They also so a veterans day where all vets get in for free!
Michigan International Speedway
I hope that you will consider visiting our beautiful Brooklyn Michigan and Michigan International Speedway. You will always receive a warm welcome and find the locals super friendly The Irish Hills and Brooklyn area provide our visitors with way more than just MIS. You can get great food, lots of yard sales and antiques galore. Plus there are many great wineries and breweries to experience some local fare and more great music. Maybe take a 20 minute drive into Adiran and check out the Lenawee County Historical Museum. While in Adrian be sure to stop into the Governor Croswell’s Tearoom for a delicious lunch. I hope to see you at the next Michigan International Speedway event.
Tammy Staley
Tammy is the mom of two wonderful young men. She loves to travel both near or far. On her blog, you will notice she is an advocate of the ketogenic lifestyle. In her free time, Tammy splits her interests across a broad spectrum. A really good book, scrapbooking about current trips, writing for her blog, and exploring the world. Blogging provides her an outlet to share many of her talents and travels with others.
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