For over a decade, Detroit’s RiverFront Conservancy has been celebrating the transformation of the city’s transformed Riverwalk area. The event features great live music, delicious food, and fun activities. On land and water–River Days has become a summer must for locals and tourists alike. This year River Days takes place from June 23-25, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
There’s a $3 admission fee, but it’s for a good cause. It goes towards the conservancy’s goal of rehabilitating the rest of the waterfront area. With the Free Friday initiative, there’s free admission between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm on the June 23. Another way to gain free entry? Volunteer! Each volunteer also receives and event T-shirt and complimentary parking.)
Food
Since no outside food or beverages are allowed inside the festival grounds, make sure to stop by the Pepsi-sponsored Taste of Detroit food court. This will keep you full and energized throughout the weekend! You’ll be able to satisfy any craving from sweet to savory with food from local favorites like Sister Love Treats, Detroit Shrimp and Fish, Beans & Cornbread, the Smoke’n Pig, Famous Dave’s, and more!
Events
Event organizers promise plenty to keep you and your family busy. Make sure to check the festival’s website for current scheduling, for these and many other activities happening throughout the weekend.
The carnival-themed Flagstar Kids Zone will have family-friendly acts and events, including the Meijer Kids’ Stage with educational shows, sing-alongs, and lots of other interactive programming from the Parade Company. To experience the refurbished Riverwalk area, Diamond Jack Riverboat Tours will be offering 1-hour tours of the sights and sounds of the river. If you prefer the air to land or water, thrill seekers can take a wild zip-line ride to get a bird’s eye view of the river (though this comes at an extra cost). The Tuskegee Air Show will be there to shock and awe both Saturday and Sunday, with a high-flying show sure to delight all members of your party. Or if you’d rather meditate to the soothing sounds of the river, Detroit Bikram invites yogis of all skill levels to practice Yoga On the River Saturday morning.
Music
The Quicken Loans National Stage will feature a wide array of top-class talent during the 2017 festival. Friday night will be all about rock and roll, with FiftyAmpFuse playing all of the hits from the 60s through the 80s, warming up the crowd for Ann Wilson of Heart. Soul music will reign supreme on Saturday night with Freddie Jackson opening for the Isley Brothers. And Sunday will have you in the groove with R&B acts 112 and Joe closing out the weekend.
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