It’s
always the right time to visit Southeast Lower
Michigan.
Pick an event from a calendar rich in festivals, shows
and competitions—or just come when you can. You’ve a rich menu
of choices.
Menu, you say? It includes a world of fun food. Over July
Fourth weekend, the Comerica TasteFest (www.tastefest.com)
features food and drink from more than three dozen top area restaurants—from
Italian to Asian to down-home soul food. From four stages, music rings
out every bit as diverse and tasty. There are family activities and children’s
entertainment—and it’s all free.
Just as savory is the Chrysler Arts, Beats and Eats (www.artsbeatseats.com)
festival over Labor Day weekend. Downtown Pontiac comes alive with cooking
and food, against a background of music, children’s entertainment
and activities. The goal is to introduce you to eats and arts from the
best local restaurants and art galleries, with beats provided by talented
musicians from across the country. This one, too, is free, while proceeds
from sponsors, vendors and others go to Metro Detroit charities.
Also firing up Labor Day Weekend, the Ford Detroit International
Jazz Festival (www.detroitjazzfest.com)
has become North America’s largest free jazz festival. It draws a
half-million people, with concerts, late-night jam sessions, meet-the-artists
workshops and food. All but the food is free.
The Detroit Festival of the Arts (www.detroitfestival.com)
makes its 19th appearance this June, having moved last year from its usual
mid-September calendar spot. Last year the festival claimed 20 blocks
in the University Cultural Center near Wayne State University. It’s
a safe bet that, with music, dancing, circus acts and legions of painters,
sculptors and other visual artists, this year’s will be just as big
or bigger.
Another festival quickly attaining classic status is the
Motor City PraiseFest, convening for the 23rd time this summer. Sounds
of praise include traditional gospel, urban contemporary, praise, worship
jazz and even spiritual hip-hop.
Although known for its classical, sacred, rock, rap and
R&B music, the Motor City is, of course, the world’s auto capital.
Nowhere is that more clear than at the Ford Rouge auto plant. Last year
brought resumption of Ford Rouge Factory tours, after they had been discontinued
there and elsewhere more than a quarter-century ago.
In the plant, updated to the tune of $2 billion, you can
explore and witness the world of the automobile. Tours begin and end at
The Henry Ford: America’s Greatest History Attraction (www.thehenryford.org).
It includes exhibits and computer interactives and then lets you watch,
in person, final assembly of the Ford F-150 pickup truck, the world’s
most popular truck.
Ford doesn’t
have an exclusive lock on auto history, either.
In Auburn Hills, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum (www.chryslerheritage.com)
explores the history of the brand from Chrysler’s early years through
DaimlerChrysler’s latest models. In addition to graphic exhibits
and touchscreen computer interactives, you can examine important cars,
some of them more than 100 years old. In the “garage” on the
lower level, performance cars such as the 1957 Plymouth Fury, the 1970
Plymouth Hemi Barracuda and the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona appear ready
to burn rubber again.
The Automotive Hall of Fame (www.automotivehalloffame.org),
in Dearborn, celebrates the accomplishments of more than 200 automotive
pioneers and leaders—from Benz to Ferrari, and Ford to Toyota.
A new tradition in southeast Lower Michigan links the
region’s automotive heritage with its taste for the arts. Last year
was the second for the Concours d’Elegance at Cranbrook (www.concoursatcranbrook.com)
with nearly 200 classic European, European-influenced American, vintage
and concept cars. A celebration and auction raises funds for the Cranbrook
Art Museum and other charities.
The art museum is part of the Cranbrook complex in Bloomfield
Hills (www.cranbrook.edu),
which last year marked its 100th birthday. Newspaper magnates George Booth
and Ellen Scripps Booth bought the farm that became Cranbrook. It includes
the Academy of Art, Art Museum, House & Gardens, and Institute of
Science and Schools. It’s a National Historic Landmark, and well
worth your attention.
The Michigan State Fair (www.michigan.gov/mda)
convenes for a nearly two-week run in mid-August each year. It features
animal exhibits, contests, displays of country life, pig races, midway
rides, kid’s fishing activities, concerts and other entertainment—all
at the Michigan State Fairgrounds at Woodward Avenue and Eight Mile Road.
Sports have always been a big draw to the Detroit area.
Catch the Tigers at Comerica Park, the Lions at Ford Field, the Pistons
at the Palace of Auburn Hills or the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. This
year, Comerica Park will also host the 2005 Major League All-Star Game.
Then, on Labor Day weekend, Ford Field will host the Ford
Detroit Football Classic. First played in 2003, this match-up features
teams and marching bands from two historically black colleges. The bands,
fans say, are as big a draw—and as spirited a contest—as the
footballers. Ford Field will also host the Super Bowl in 2006.
But there’s no reason for despair if you visit when
there’s not a special event underway—as difficult as that would
be. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.visitdetroit.com)
has information on the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History,
Detroit Children’s Museum, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Science
Center, Detroit Zoo, Detroit Institute of Arts and three local casinos.
Tri-Centennial State Park, the first urban park within
the expansive Michigan State Park System, is taking shape.
Ready to run? In October, the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar
Bank Marathon and Half Marathon (www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com)
traces a unique course over two international borders, including an international
underwater mile.
For racing of a different kind, head east to Michigan
International Speedway (www.mispeedway.com)
near Jackson, where NASCAR and Indy Car races keep it at the top of the
list of Michigan destinations every year.
Port Huron
Each summer, in Port Huron, the Bacardi Bayview Mackinac
Race (www.byc.com) sends
a fleet of yachts to Mackinac Island, and the start of that race draws
more than 100,000 people to Port Huron (www.porthuron.org).
The night before the race is called “Boat Night,”
a huge party along the Black River, complete with water balloon battles
between the boats.
The next morning, July 23 this year, the brass cannon
will fire to begin the race’s 81st running.
Holly
At Holly, the Michigan Renaissance Festival (www.michrenfest.com)
takes place every weekend from mid-August through mid-September. This
will be its 26th year. Here are gathered 16th century re-enactors, merchants
and artisans, food, rides, games, jousting, and continuous entertainment
of all time-honored types.
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, like so many other southeast Michigan locations,
offers a mix of special events and season-long attractions.
The annual Ann Arbor Art Fairs in July draw more than
three quarters of a million people. Sophisticated patrons of the arts
find plenty of superb pieces, while young visitors enjoy demonstrations
and hands-on activities.
The city has many other festivals sprinkled throughout
the year, too, including the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival, and
Ann Arbor Folk Festivals in both summer and winter.
The University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium, closed
for renovation in 2002, opened almost two years later after $38.6 million
worth of work. It again hosts world-class entertainment.
U-M’s Museum of Art (www.umma.umich.edu)
boasts Michigan’s second largest art collection, one respected throughout
the country. Both broad and deep, and accented by special exhibitions
and interpretive programs, it’s a sure winner.
If participation’s your goal, check out the 250 exhibits
of the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum (www.aahom.org),
including an ice-climbing wall.
Ypsilanti
The King reigns, at least in tribute form, at the annual
Elvisfest at Depot Town in Ypsilanti. This year will be the sixth for
the mid-July event, which draws 10,000 or more to see and hear the top
Elvis Presley impersonators from throughout the country.
... and beyond
And things are only going to get better in this region.
When Governor Granholm announced the 20 Cool Cities projects set to receive
start-up grants of up to $100,000 and handshake access to up to $100 million
in state grants, loans and other resources, southeast Michigan led the
way with grants for projects in Detroit, Ferndale, Jackson, Port Huron,
Warren and Ypsilanti.
It’s
always the right time to visit Southeast Lower
Michigan.
