best Bets : Thunder Over Michigan returns and the Milan Summer Fest fills the town with fun

FESTIVAL

There will be a Riverfolk "Cajun Party in the Park" at Carr Park on Friday. 7 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. There will be Cajun food and a Texas barbecue dinner ($12) catered by The Black Sheep Tavern. Also take in Cajun music and dancing with a lesson demonstration and bluegrass performance by Bob Black & His Bluegrass Boys. There will be a cash bar with wines and micro brews and a silent auction. $10. Get tickets online at riverfolk2012.eventbrite.com/. Carr Park is off Main Street in Manchester.

MUSIC

The 2012 "Crossroads Music Festival" in downtown Ypsilanti continues Friday. In the Library Plaza, 6 p.m.: Dennis Davis of Miles Ahead performs both new and old school R&B, funk, Motown, jazz, rock, and other dance standards. (229 W. Michigan Ave. 734-482-4110. Event held inside in case of rain.) At the main Crossroads Festival site, 7 p.m.: Keep your “funk on” and dance as award-winning October Babies and Salmagundi perform their very special blends of “World” music Also see On N. Washington, between Pearl and Michigan Ave. Get more information at www.ypsicrossroads.org/.

FESTIVAL

The "Milan Summer Fest" will be held in conjunction with the Annual BackStreet Cruizers Car Fest on Saturday. There will be a 5K and a kids 1K starting at the Milan Senior Center, 45 Neckel Ct. Register for it at 6 a.m. Pre-register online at www.milansummerfest5k.com or register the day of. Throughout town, there will be a ton of activities. Get more information from their Facebook page under Milan Summer Fest 2012.

AIRPLANES

The "Thunder Over Michigan Air Show" returns to the Yankee Air Museum Collections & Exhibits Building at Willow Run Airport on Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The theme for this year’s show is Mustang Mania and 20 P-51 Mustangs are scheduled to appear. Special events will include a demonstration by a Sea Harrier F/A2, an appearance by the only flying B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” and World War II battle reenactments. Plane rides on vintage World War II aircraft can be purchased. $20 in advance, $30 on the day of the event. Kids 15 and under get in free. For more information or to buy tickets, contact http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/. The YAM is at 47884 D St., Belleville. 734-483-4030.

MUSIC

The Riverfolk Festival Finale Concert will be held at the Ark on Saturday. 7:30 p.m. Headliners for the show include Christine Balfa & Friends, Bob Black & His Bluegrass Boys and The Raisin Pickers. Tonight's show also features winners from the Riverfolk Festival weekend songwriting contest. $15. Tickets for this show are available at riverfolkfestival.org. The Ark is at 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1800.

MUSIC

Enjoy an "An Evening with Susan Chastain" at the Kerrytown Concert House on Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. She is joined by her superb jazz colleagues Paul Keller and Phil DeGreg. To celebrate her birthday, Susan will perform selections from the Great American Songbook. $30 assigned rows 1-2; $20 assigned rows 3-5; $15 general admission; $10 students. The KCH is at 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-769-2999.