5 things to do in the Detroit metro
The first weekend in August offers more outdoor opportunities to explore local music, art, farming, community service efforts, and other family adventures.
Here are some fun ideas for the August 5th weekend.
Jazz on the river
Celebrating its 25th year, this free jazz music festival returns with a lineup of musicians known for jazz, R&B and soul, headlined by George Benson and Stephanie Mills.
Other artists will include Alexander Zonjic, James Lloyd, Randy Scott, Justin “Lee” Schultz, Dee Brown and many more on Saturday and Sunday.
The first performance will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the last performance at 6:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Park, 4461 Elizabeth Drive in Trenton. The park opens to the public at 10 a.m. and will close after the final performance. $5 cash parking fee.
Buy Michigan Now
Nearly 90 Michigan businesses will provide food, entertainment, children’s activities and shopping opportunities on Main and Center streets in downtown Northville.
4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. FREE ENTRANCE.
Belle-Isle Art Fair
This juried art exhibition will feature 100 local, regional and national painters, jewelers and artists in Detroit’s Belle Isle around the James Scott Memorial Fountain.
The fair will also include the Mint Artists Guild with young emerging artists; Hannan House sponsoring a heritage tent with senior artists; Anton Art Center family arts activities, music, food trucks and more.
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free entry with the national park pass.
Arise Detroit Neighborhood’s Day
This 16th annual Detroit-wide community service event brings together more than 100 block clubs, community groups, churches and volunteers to improve, beautify and support neighborhoods.
A plethora of Saturday events include block parties, clean-ups, back-to-school giveaways, garden tours, clothing and food giveaways, health fairs, picnics, kids’ activities , music and art exhibitions.
A full schedule of events can be viewed at risedetroit.org.
Sunflower Days
Enjoy access to a 5-acre sunflower field with wagon rides, photo ops, flower picking, and 3 acres of playground and barnyard animals, plus a mountain of straw and a mountain of tires until August 14.
Special events that require pre-purchased tickets for Sunflower Days include Team Challenge Night for players 21 and older, 6-9 p.m. Friday; Date Night Special, 6-9 p.m. Friday; Sunset Sunflower Yoga, 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday August 10, and Butterflies & Blooms, the weekend of August 13-14, when approximately 100 butterflies will be released at 2 p.m.
Westview Orchards & Winery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 65075 Van Dyke in Washington Township.
Brendel Hightower is associate editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.
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