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The annual Sidewalk Sale and Street Festival will take place in Romeo on July 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lavender Festival, which takes place at 14000 34 Mile Road, runs July 17-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The whole weekend will feature outdoor shopping and dining, antiques, crafts and other activities for the whole family.

The annual Sidewalk Sale and Street Festival returns this year with many of the same features that made it popular in the past.

The annual Kid to Kid sale, run by the Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks and Recreation Department, will take place at the Village Park on July 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Children 14 and younger will sell items such as clothing and toys to other children. The event will also feature goodie bags and a moonwalk.

The Romeo Historical Society will offer tours of the Bancroft-Stranahan Museum, and the Romeo Arts and Archives Center will host a Romeo on Wheels program, honoring the 100-year anniversary of the Model T and how Romeo fit into that history.

“We are working in conjunction with the Lavender Festival,” said Connie Connelly, president of the MRP Association and owner of Connelly’s Creations. “I think it works very well. They have a fabulous draw from all over to the Lavender Festival, and that kind of spills into us and we spill into them.”

Like previous years, Connelly said this year will be a fun experience for the whole family that will provide a weekend’s worth of fun.

“The large sales, the unusual selections we have to offer, a number of unique vendors,” she said. “Between the outdoor dining and the restaurants we have, it is a great way to spend a day or two.”

The Lavender Festival, which is being hosted by Gabriel’s Garden, offers three days of shopping, workshops and classes, activities for all ages, and plenty of food and refreshments.

“It is in our heart to help the local small businesses to grow. That is why we planned to coincide with the Street Festival,” said Jennifer Vasich of Gabriel’s Garden. “It draws people downtown.”

This year’s Lavender Festival will feature 50 artisans from Michigan selling their handmade goods. Many of the artisans will also demonstrate their skills during the festival.

A wide variety of lavender products will be available, including soaps, honey, organic teas, dried bundles and plants.

Victoria’s Delights of Oxford returns with its ŒBistro-To-Go’ menu, featuring items such as a Michigan Cherry Salad with Grilled Lavender Chicken.

Visitors will also be able to eat lots of lavender sweets such as Lavender Shortbread and Lavender “New York-style” Cheesecake.

In addition, a special treat will be on hand in the form of Gourmet Lavender Ice Cream, made exclusively for Gabriel’s Garden by Erma’s Original Frozen Custard of Utica.

“It is amazing,” said Vasich. “It is such a unique taste.”

The 3-day event will also feature specials for seniors and children.

On July 17, seniors can visit the festival for half price ($2) with refreshment specials and classes specifically targeted to them.

Senior groups and Red Hats groups can also call to schedule group visits in advance.

On July 19, children will have their own special day. The festival will offer children’s activities, including art classes, lavender crafts, games, face painting and more.

The sixth annual Lavender Festival will take place at 14000 34 Mile Road, just more than a mile east of Van Dyke. Free parking and round-trip shuttle service is being provided.

Admission to the festival is $4; children younger than 12 are admitted for free. No smoking or pets are allowed. For more information including transportation, accommodations, directions and the detailed program, visit www.MichLavenderFestival.com or call 877-452-8363.

For more information about the Sidewalk Sale and Street Festival, visit the Romeo Downtown Development Authority’s Web site at www.romeodda.org or the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce’s Web site at www.rwchamber.com