GM presents Detroit International River Days – details announced for summertime event on Detroit's riverfront
DETROIT (23 April 2007) – Details were announced today at the GM Wintergarden for the debut of a six-day summertime festival, Detroit International River Days presented by General Motors. River Days, kicking off Friday, June 22 and culminating on Wednesday, June 27 with the 49th Annual Target Fireworks, will take place along the Detroit International Riverfront and run from 11 a.m. – midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sunday through Wednesday. River Days, which will be an annual event, is organized by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, The Parade Company and General Motors.
River Days, spanning from the new Rivard Plaza & Pavilion to the GM Plaza & Promenade and beyond, will be free to the public and will take advantage of the natural assets the Riverfront provides. It will feature family-friendly entertainment including GM Cool Events, River Days Parade of Lights, the Family Fun Zone, Ultimate Air Dogs, a carnival, incredible live music, including a special performance by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Official VIP Rooftop Party, Target Fireworks, some of Detroit’s best restaurants and much more.
“The city of Detroit takes pride in long-standing summertime family traditions,” said Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, City of Detroit. “With events like Detroit International River Days and the Target Fireworks the communities in southeastern Michigan and our friends in Windsor can share in our beautiful riverfront with the world.”
Festival-goers will see a transformed Detroit International Riverfront. More than 75 percent of the east Riverfront project, which includes two of the four plazas and pavilions along with significant portions of new RiverWalk, will officially open this spring, joining already completed Riverfront parcels such as the GM Plaza and Promenade and the Tri-Centennial State Park Harbor.
“The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is thrilled to be a part of River Days and to have the opportunity to show off Detroit’s new Riverfront,” said Faye Alexander Nelson, President & CEO of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. “There’s not a better way to see our beautiful riverfront than during a fantastic six-day festival that the entire city can enjoy.”
General Motors will have a variety of interactive and exciting activities for all River Days’ visitors to enjoy including Chevrolet’s Racing Tour celebrating the most dominant force in NASCAR and ALMS; the Buick Golf Trailer; legendary Duke Basketball Coach, Mike Krzyzewski will conduct an on-court, youth seminar; and a Quarterback Challenge.
“General Motors is proud to be associated with River Days,” said Matt Cullen, General Manager, Economic Development and Enterprise Services, General Motors. “We look forward to visitors of River Days having the chance to experience our history, take a peek into our future all while having a great time at our fun activities.”
The Parade Company has partnered with General Motors and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy to bring the creative expertise and magic of The Parade Company to River Days. Its creative team will program a Family Fun Zone at Rivard Plaza that will feature everything from pieces of its world-renowned Parade collection to the Detroit Institute of Arts traveling studio. It will also continue to provide its family-focused event Rhythm & Rhymes from the Hart, featuring AM 910 Radio Disney, that takes place in Hart Plaza on Wednesday, June 27 prior to The Parade Company-produced Target Fireworks and its Official VIP Rooftop Party, the major fundraising event for The Parade Company.
“The Parade Company has a long history of creating and producing some of Detroit’s greatest events,” said Joan LeMahieu, President of The Parade Company. “And this year, not only will we produce the Target Fireworks celebration; we will expand on this great summer event with our involvement in River Days which is sure to become a summertime family tradition in Detroit.”
River Days will have an international flavor as the Target Fireworks has always been an international celebration with the spectacular fireworks display spanning two countries and the Windsor Summer Fest, with the International Tug Boat Races, runs concurrently with River Days.
“Windsor and Detroit have a long history of shared celebrations, so it is only fitting that we celebrate our great nations’ birthdays together. Our separate festivals are bound together in the spirit of freedom and co-operation, underscoring our link to Detroit, and the appeal of our Two Nation Destination,” said Windsor Mayor, Eddie Francis.
*DETROIT INTERNATIONAL RIVER DAYS ACTIVITIES:
Live Music - Live music will flow throughout all six days of the festival on two different stages offering free musical performances to festival-goers.
-
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will kickoff the entertainment on the National Music Stage on Friday, June 22 at 5 p.m. with a dazzling concert under the stars. A variety of headlining acts will perform on the National Stage, located on Atwater Street west of the River East Parking Structure, on Friday thru Tuesday at 5 p.m. each night.
-
Sprint Music Stage – Metro Detroit’s hottest bands will fill the Sprint Music Stage, located on the GM Promenade in front of GM Renaissance Center Cooling Station, each and every day during River Days festival hours. River Day’s entire musical lineup will be announced at a later date.
GM Cool Events - General Motors will have a variety of interactive and exciting activities for all River Days’ visitors to enjoy, including:
-
Chevy Racing Tour – Chevrolet’s Racing Tour celebrating the most dominant force in NASCAR and ALMS. Fans will be able to get an up-close look at many of these vehicles that have helped inspire the next big revolutionary idea from Chevy. NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer and JJ Yeley will also be on hand on Tuesday, June 26 to sign autographs and take photos with fans.
-
Buick Golf Trailer – Buick, the “Official Vehicle of the PGA TOUR,” will bring its Buick Golf Trailer to River Days. Fans will be able to receive a personalized golf swing analysis and have a “virtual photo” taken with Buick spokesman, Tiger Woods (Tiger Woods not scheduled to appear). This will be a great warm-up for the Buick Open which will take place the week following River Days at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, MI.
-
Coach Krzyzewski On-Court Youth Seminar – Pontiac, the “Official Performance Machines of the NCAA,” will conduct an on-court, youth seminar with legendary Duke Basketball Coach, Mike Krzyzewski on Tuesday, June 26.
-
Quarterback Challenge – GMC, the “Official Vehicle of the NFL,” will allow visitors to see if their football skills are “Professional Grade” with its interactive display, the NFL Quarterback Challenge.
Maritime Activities - From tug boats to yachts, fishing boats to tour boats, the Detroit River will be abuzz with activities throughout River Days.
-
Parade of Lights – Working in partnership with the Detroit Yacht Club, River Days is proud to present the
River Days Parade of Lights. Boaters from across the state are invited on Saturday, June 23 to exhibit their decorated sailboats and powerboats for fantastic prizes, which will light up the Detroit River in a spectacular fashion. The parade begins at 10 p.m. Interested applicants can receive the application at
www.detroitriverdays.com or by calling the Detroit Yacht Club at 313-824-1200.
-
Diamond Jack’s River Tours – Docked at the GM Plaza on Friday, June 22 thru Tuesday, June 26, Diamond Jack will offer festival-goers the opportunity to take 1-hour tours on the Detroit River experiencing the sights of the newly developed Riverfront. The tours will be offered at a discounted rate, with $10 tickets for adults, and $5 tickets for children. Children under 5 years of age are free with an adult. Tour schedules will be posted on
www.detroitriverdays.com.
-
Detroit Open Bass Fishing Tournament – Co-sponsored by the FLW Outdoors and the National Bass Angler’s Association, the tournament will feature a guaranteed first prize of $7,500 and will be sure to attract some of the best bass anglers in metro Detroit and across the Midwest. Detroit will be treated to an amazing launch of boats, which will take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 23 in the Harbor at
Tri-Centennial State Park, and festival guests will be able to view the fish weigh-in on festival grounds near Rivard Plaza at 5 p.m. Interested bass fishermen can register for the tournament at
www.nbaa-bass.com. Teams that sign up on or before June 1 receive a discounted entry fee of $125 (regular fee $150).
-
Explore Detroit’s Vessels - The Lake Guardian, a research boat run by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, will be docked along Detroit’s RiverWalk at Rivard Plaza on Sunday, June 24 and Monday, June 25 during festival hours. The vessel will offer 30-minute tours throughout the day, where children and adults can learn about the different aspects of the boat’s journey, and participate in discussions and hands-on activities with crew members. The Detroit Fire Department will dock its Detroit Fire Boat from Friday, June 22 thru Sunday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to give guests the opportunity to board the vessel and meet with the crew.
Ultimate Air Dogs – One of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country is taking over River Days from Friday, June 22 thru Monday, June 25. Ultimate Air Dogs puts on professional events that draw in thousands of spectators while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Long distance jumping is the featured event, while the “Ultimate Vertical” is fast-becoming a crowd favorite.
Pooch-A-Palooza Pet Walk – Dog owners can explore the new Detroit RiverWalk with their “best friends” in the Pooch-A-Palooza Pet Walk. The walk begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 24 at the GM Promenade and continues to Rivard Plaza where there will be refreshments and snacks, and a special gift for each entry (dogs included) before the walk back. Participants can walk with or without a dog, but all pets must be on a leash. The walk will also feature contests and prizes. For more information or to register contact the YMCA at
313-309-3377 or at www.ymcadetroit.org.
River Days Food Courts – River Days will feature incredible culinary offerings from at least 15 restaurants, including Andiamo, Seldom Blues, Coach Insignia and many other Detroit favorites.
Family Fun Zone - Created by The Parade Company, the Family Fun Zone at Rivard Plaza will be the scene of excitement and laughter while the young and “young at heart” participate in interactive games, enjoy lively entertainment on the kid’s stage, and create fun make-and-take crafts.
-
The Parade Company – Bringing the magic and fantasy of America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, The Parade Company will give guests the opportunity to try on Parade costumes as well as make-your-own Parade headdresses, all with Detroit or river themes.
-
Detroit Institute of Arts – Children and adults can connect with their “inner artist” at the Detroit Institute of Arts traveling studio where making a masterpiece is easy and fun.
49th Annual Target Fireworks Celebration – One of Detroit’s greatest traditions, this Parade Company-produced celebration brings nearly one million spectators to Detroit’s Riverfront.
-
Rhythm & Rhymes from the Hart - The Parade Company is pleased to present Rhythm & Rhymes from the Hart, which will again take place in Hart Plaza the afternoon of The Target Fireworks on Wednesday, June 27. This literacy- and reading-focused afternoon of family friendly programming will offer activities and entertainment for all ages.
-
Official VIP Rooftop Party - The Official VIP Rooftop Party on Wednesday, June 27 from 6 – 11 p.m. atop the Miller Parking Garage along the Detroit International Riverfront promises an evening filled with spectacular entertainment, fabulous food, games and activities for children, summertime fun for all and the best seats in the city for the Target Fireworks.
All proceeds benefit The Parade Company and event tickets are $175. For more information, please visit www.theparade.org or call The Parade Company at 313-432-7831.
· Target Fireworks - The Parade Company and Target are excited to present the 49th Annual Target Fireworks, one of the nation’s most spectacular fireworks displays, on Wednesday, June 27 along the Detroit International Riverfront in downtown Detroit.
The show will be choreographed to music by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale and showcase more
than 10,000 pyrotechnic effects that can be viewed for miles along the Detroit International Riverfront.
Target Fireworks begin at 10:06 p.m.
*Please note that programming elements and festival hours for Detroit International River Days are subject to change. For up-to-date information on schedules and events, including our musical line-ups, please visit www.detroitriverdays.com.
General Motors is the presenting sponsor for Detroit International River Days. Additional sponsors include Sprint and Compuware. River Days is co-produced by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, The Parade Company and General Motors.
Return to News
Back to top