Detroit

Things To Do While In Detroit For The Grand Prix

May 24, 2013

The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is just a week away! If you’re coming to town and looking for things to do in the area outside of the race, check out the post below from Dan Fuoco of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Think about it: The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is in town the weekend of May 31 – June 2 and your attendance is already secure. Even though the event is amazing, you find yourself between races thinking: I’m here. Now what?

That’s where you refer to the Pure Michigan Blog to direct your Detroit experience. I’ve created a list of things to do, events to attend and special experiences you can only take advantage of while in The D.

Foursquare Motor City Badge

If you’re active on Foursquare, you might want to take advantage of the Motor City Badge. All you have to do to obtain this badge is *like* foursquare Cities on Foursquare and then check-in to five (5) venues on a yet-to-be-posted recommended venue list (more than likely the most popular and obvious venues in the city). Some suggestions are:

Renassiance Center
The RiverWalk
Hart Plaza
Greektown Casino-Hotel
MotorCity Casino-Hotel
MGM Grand Casino-Hotel
Campus Martius
The People Mover
Detroit Institute of Art
Detroit Historical Museum
Detroit Library
Fischer Theatre
The Detroit Opera House
Detroit Zoo

Food

Good Times on Tap

Michigan’s beer scene is bursting at the seams as a recent poll named Grand Rapids BeerCity USA for the second consecutive year. Even better, of the top four cities in the running for the prestigious recognition, three were Michigan cities (Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor being the other two). Microbrews are popping up everywhere and Detroit is no exception. New or old, you won’t be disappointed with these two lists of top drink destinations, including this feature: Detroit 10: Beer and Bars. Need more variety? See our larger list: Detroit’s Top 20 Sports Bars… and More Scores.

“Old” is the New “New”

The newest and hottest restaurant in metro Detroit is actually a converted old mechanic’s shop. The Vinsetta Garage boasts a menu full of exciting tastes, all part of the 1970’s mechanic themed experience.

Mama Mia!

Mario Andretti would have made a pit stop at one of Detroit’s Best Italian Restaurants. Roma Café, Detroit’s oldest Italian restaurant, is a legend of its own. From ravioli to lasagna to pasta, there is a reason Roma Café and the other establishments made our Italian-lovers list.

Paris of the Midwest

Detroit has often been referred to as the Paris of the Midwest for its array of street side eating which reflects many dining options in Paris, France and outlying cities. With warm temperatures and bustling scenery, why waste a dining experience indoors?

Tours

Ride The D

Cover more ground on two wheels… Bike it Baby! See the city via bicycle for a chance to absorb more sights. Explore gems like Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut, the Riverwalk and the city all in one tour! These landmarks, normally too far to indulge by foot, are a mere minutes from each other by bike.

The Life of Detroit’s Auto Barons

If it’s cars you like, then you’ve come to the right place. The Motor City offers a wealth of car knowledge from its car museums (GM Heritage Center and Walter P. Chrysler Museum) to an inside look of the auto baron homes like the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House tour or the Meadow Brook Mansion tour (home of the Dodge family).

Not enough? How about an itinerary made specifically for the car-lover? You’re welcome.

Nightlife

Enter Stage Right

If you’re in to drama, comedy, or musicals, look no further than a city that has 13,000 theater seats – enough for you and a friend and some others! Sit back in a plush theater seat fit for a king while you watch a favorite performance in our theater district. Each theater has a slightly different taste that appeals to the different audiences and shows.

It’s All Greek To Me

One of Detroit’s most happening neighborhoods has to be Greektown. With a casino, plenty of Greek and American restaurants, a sweet pastry shop, and spa-tacular retreats, it’s virtually impossible to skip this area. Traditional Greek music fills the air as you walk down the main corridor and embody a new culture. This is one adventure you won’t want to skip.

Batter Up!

If there is one thing people will travel for, it’s a chance to witness the 2012 AL Champion Detroit Tigers at home plate. The team brings their A-game every night and with a batting line-up that includes Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, you’ll want to sit near the outfield for a chance to snatch a home run ball.

Of course, sitting behind home plate as a Justin Verlander fastball screams over the plate isn’t such a bad way to view the game, either.

Things To Do

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

The Grand Prix has a wonderful family-friendly component to the weekend and we thought we should extend the gesture and give you an idea of 8 Family-Friendly Detroit Activities.

Or you can turn the experience into a game and attempt to complete all 28 Things To Do Before Your Kids Grow Up.

Musically Inclined

The Motown Sound refers to a beat untouchable by new artists. Although he wasn’t singing with Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder or The Temptations, another Detroit native has made learning music culture his mission as part of the Detroit Historical Museum’s Kid Rock Music Lab. This hands-on interaction offers individuals the ability to make music and learn basic beats.

The Heart of Art

Museum-lovers will marvel in the exquisitely curated Detroit Institute of Arts as soon as they enter the grand entrance. One of the top art museums in the nation, the Detroit Institute of Art offers has multiple eras of history and art all in one location.

Belle Isle Nature Zoo (open during Grand Prix) is the perfect fun destination for the entire family, community or school group. Enjoy the native plants and animals found in Michigan and feed the deer. Rent space for a variety of events at reasonable rates.

Racing Events

2013 Grand Prixmiere: The Can’t Miss Event of the Summer at the Belle Isle Convervancy. The 2013 Grand Prixmiere will be the toast-of-Detroit at DTE Energy’s Town Square celebrating the 2013 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The evening, hosted by the Belle Isle Conservancy, will welcome an eclectic crowd of Grand Prix drivers, racing officials and team owners alongside the A-listers of Metro Detroit and across the country. All proceeds support Belle Isle Conservancy’s mission to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the natural environment, historic structures and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all – now and forever.

Quicken Loans Grand Prix Fest Powered by Chevrolet is a free event. The beautiful Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square area in vibrant downtown Detroit will come alive with the sights and sounds of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Wednesday, May 29 to start the region’s race week engines.

The Street Fest will feature a sampling of the activities and excitement that will be present all weekend long at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, May 31-June 2. Drivers and cars from all three racing series competing at the Grand Prix – the IZOD IndyCar Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and Pirelli World Challenge Series – will be represented at the festival, located near the headquarters of Quicken Loans and many other downtown Detroit businesses. Pit stop demonstrations, autograph sessions and Q&A sessions with some of the sport’s best drivers will be featured along with food trucks, Grand Prix and race team merchandise, as well as interactive and special vehicle displays.

Enjoy deals through the Detroit Grand Prix VIP Package at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. It’s time to rev up those engines with the Detroit Grand Prix VIP Package! Rest up in the luxurious guest rooms at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center before spending the next day in the middle of all the excitement. Experience the thrills of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix with the exclusive chance to see all of the cars and drivers close up in the Paddock. Book now and be a part of the action! Detroit Grand Prix VIP Package includes: *Overnight accommodations for two at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center *2 one-day passes to the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, with exclusive Paddock Passes *Breakfast for two at the hotel 24 hour cancellation policy. Grand Prix tickets with Paddock passes are valid on the day of hotel check-out. For more information visit www.DetroitGP.com.

Dan Fuoco is the Interactive Marketing Manager for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (VisitDetroit) and is responsible for building and engaging with VisitDetroit’s social media and blog communities. You can find him geeking out over: social media infographics, muscle cars and Detroit. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and periodically on Pinterest.

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Pure Michigan June 2013 Events Roundup

May 23, 2013

in Monthly Event Roundup

June means the official start of summer in Pure Michigan! And with school out for the year and warm weather here to stay, it’s the perfect time to experience some of the great things going on around the state.

Below is a roundup of a few of the many events going on around Michigan in June. Please visit michigan.org for a complete listing of things to do across the state.

Week of June 2

Art & Orchard Festival
June 6-June 8, 2013, Washington
Washington’s Art & Orchard Festival will be the second weekend in June, June 6-9, 2013. The event will feature a carnival on Friday, live music, an arts & crafts show, fireworks Saturday night, petting zoo, beer tent and food station.

Cereal City Festival
June 7-8, 2013, Battle Creek
The Cereal City Festival is an event celebrating the Battle Creek community and its rich and varied past. A parade kicks off the festival on Friday, June 8th and the fun continues with the Cereal City Classic 5k/10k run and the World’s Longest Breakfast Table on Saturday morning. Throughout the day enjoy exciting events, bands and activities! Click here for more information.

National Asparagus Festival – Hart
June 7-8, 2013, Hart
Salute the shoots with a parade, 5K run, rodeo and crafts fair in downtown Hart. The National Asparagus Festival is held every year during the second weekend of June. For more information, visit the National Asparagus Festival website or call (800) 874-3982 or (231) 861-8110.

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
June 7-16, 2013, Mackinac Island
The idea of the festival was to bring people to the island to enjoy a great horse drawn parade amidst the lovely lilacs that fragrance the island in June. Now this ten day festival includes a comedy show, afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel, music, walking tours, hayrides, arts and crafts, 10K run, Lilac Festival Queen, dancing, wine tasting, bingo, lilac strolls and much more. Visit the website for more information.

Leland Wine & Food Festival
June 8, 2013, Leland
Michigan’s oldest wine festival takes place at the Leland Harbor. Everyone has a chance to go see 17 wineries of the Leelanau & Old Mission Peninsulas on Saturday, enjoy great food and music and kick off the summer festival season in style! No need to purchase advance tickets – just show up rain or shine at the big tent in Leland’s picturesque Fishtown district. Admission is $15 and includes an etched wine glass and two tickets for wine tasting. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at (877) LELAND1 or (231) 256-0079.

Orion Music + More
June 8-9, 2013, Detroit
Make your way to Detroit June 8-9, 2013, for the Orion Music + More concert event. The lineup includes Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones, Rise Against, The Dillinger Escape Plan. The event includes thirty-plus acts over five stages, a custom car and automotive show, Metallica Museum, and more. Two day passes are $150. For tickets, complete lineup details, and more, visit the website link.

Week of June 9

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week
June 9-14, 2013, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week offers one price dining, one week, several options. Extraordinary three course dinner menus and fixed price fare lunch menus from Ann Arbor’s best restaurants. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in Ann Arbor. Now is your chance to discover new restaurants and enjoy favorites at a discounted price. Make reservations early at participating restaurants as tables fill fast during this gastronomically great event. For more information, visit the website link or call (734) 668-7112 ext 22.

Hamburg Family Fun Fest
June 12-15, 2013, Hamburg
The Hamburg Family Fun Fest brings family fun to the park like never before, attracting more than 50,000 attendees. Feature attractions include amusement rides, circus, petting zoo, talent competition, classic car show and arts & crafts just to name a few. A variety of concerts will also be held throughout the weekend on two stages. Click here for more information.

Heritage Coast Grand Prix
June 13-26, 2013, Tawas
Head to the Heritage Coast Grand Prix in Tawas for beautiful beaches, family fun and revved up racing. The event includes four fun-filled and family-oriented days of activities. Check out the boats, meet the drivers and experience the thrill of the races. Visit the website for more information.

Jazzin on Jefferson
June 14-15, 2013, Detroit
Jazzin’ on Jefferson is a free street music festival organized by the Jefferson East Business Association. For a schedule of main stage performances, visit the website link.

Pinconning CheeseTown Festival
June 14-15, 2013, Pinconning
Highlights of the festival include a mac & cheese dinner contest, the ultimate wine & cheese party, the cheesy CheeseTown parade, a teen concert, arts & crafts, fireworks, a beer tent with lots of live music, and in honor of Father’s Day weekend, a CheeseTown dad contest. The event is held at Doc Letchfield Park on M-13 in Pinconning. The event is in conjunction with the 30th Annual CheeseTown Challenge Race (5 mile race, 2 mile fun run/walk, and Little Meeces Race). For more information on this event, call (989) 879-2816.

Week of June 16

Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
June 16, 2013, Brooklyn
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the Irish Hills on Father’s Day with the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400. NASCAR stars, such as former MIS winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Jimmy Johnson return to MIS for another action-packed day of side-by-side racing. Forty-three drivers, 200 laps. Call (800) 354-1010 or visit the website for ticket and camping information.

East Jordan Freedom Festival
June 19-23, 2013, East Jordan
The East Jordan Freedom Festival is a family friendly festival with something for everyone including live music, parades, kids games, carnival, block party and fireworks over the south arm of Lake Charlevoix. For more information, call (231) 536-7351 or visit the website link here.

FinnFest USA 2013
June 19-23, 2013, Hancock
Hear the music, feel the summer breezes, smell the birch wood of the kokko and be where every Finn needs to be in June of 2013. For five days the Copper Country will host FinnFest USA 2013 – a festival spread across the region, with a variety of programming sure to interest everyone! Tori market, concerts, performances, dances, exhibits and gallery shows, local tours, sports and games, a parade, midsummer bonfires, street theatre, special guests and VIPs and much, much more! For more information, visit the website or call (906) 487-7205.

Kalamazoo Island Fest
June 20-22, 2013, Kalamazoo
Get ready for some good times with three days and nights of reggae music rocking downtown Kalamazoo. A great variety of quality Jamaican and Caribbean-inspired cuisine will be served. Food, drinks, beer and wine will be available. The live reggae music line-up runs all day and ranges from the top local talent to well-known regional and national headliners presented outdoors throughout the day. For more information visit the website or contact (269) 385-6200.

Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
June 21-22, 2013, East Lansing
This free two day jazz festival in the heart of downtown East Lansing features high-caliber local, regional, and national talent presented by the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, and the Michigan State University College of Music. For additional event information, visit the web link or call (517) 319-6927.

Detroit River Days
June 21-23, 2013, Detroit
The 2013 festival will continue to celebrate Detroit’s maritime, ecological and culinary culture while again featuring many proven crowd-favorite, family-friendly activities and programming elements from previous festivals. Interactive exhibits, large-scale sand sculptures, strolling entertainers, eco-friendly kids’ zones, carnival rides, and live concerts with performances featuring more than 50 local, national and international music acts will be back this year. More information is available online.

Week of June 23

Ford Fireworks
June 24, 2013, Detroit
The Parade Company is excited to pump up the City of Detroit, on June 24th as we produce the 55th Ford Fireworks presented by Target, along the Detroit River. This event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators for one of the most anticipated summer nights in Detroit and one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays. Visit the website here.

St. Ignace Car Show Weekend
June 26-27, 2013, St. Ignace
This annual event is one of the largest all-make, all-model shows in the country. Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles are on display all day Saturday. Car enthusiasts can examine vehicles up close and see them in action during Kewadin Casino Cruise Night on Thursday evening, and the Down Memory Lane Parade on Friday evening. Contests, exhibits, vendor booths and more make this a fun, family event. For more information call (906) 643-8087 or visit the website.

Michigan Challenge Balloonfest 2013
June 28-30, 2013, Howell
Join us for the state championship of hot-air ballooning, June 28-30 in Howell. It’s a weekend full of high-flying fun for the whole family. Enjoy thrilling skydiving jumps, music, carnival, family entertainment, downtown activities and more. Don’t miss the fun including Play 1st Mobile Gaming, SmashZone and five scheduled balloon launches, Annabelle Road and the fabulous balloon glow on Saturday evening and the MediLodge Fireworks on Friday night. For more information on this event, visit the website link or call us at (517) 546-3920.

Grand Haven Art Festival & Fun Day
June 29-30, 2013, Grand Haven
The work of 150 of the finest artists in the country will be on display and for sale during the 51st Annual Grand Haven Art Festival & Family Fun Day, June 29 – 30, 2013. The festival will take place along Washington Avenue in downtown Grand Haven, transforming the area into an outdoor art gallery. Admission and parking are free and open to the public. Presented by The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg. (616) 842-4910.

National Cherry Festival 2013
June 29–July 6, 2013, Traverse City
Get your planner out and write down the dates for a great week or family fun when you attend the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City on June 29–July 6. There will be colorful parades, marching bands, music shows, sporting events, amusement rides along with carnival games on the midway and food items, pie eating contests and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can think of. For more information, visit the website link or call the Cherry Festival office at (800) 968-3380.

Week of June 30

Log Cabin Days & Antique Car Show
June 30, 2013, Michigamme
Tour the museum and the Dompierre House and walk around to see all the antique cars on display from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information contact (906) 323-9016.

Coast West Music Fest
July 1-6, 2013, Muskegon
This event is a multi-day music festival with three stages, fireworks on July 4, food and refreshments. Acts announced so far: O.A.R., Josh Turner, Leann Rimes, Cheap Trick, Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Allen Stone, Chicago and Foghat! For more information visit the website link.

Light up the Lake Fireworks & Parade
July 3-4, 2013, South Haven
At the south pier over Lake Michigan, watch a spectacular fireworks display July 3 and listen to the Light Up The Lake soundtrack LIVE on SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM! The fireworks shoot off synchronized to the music! Parade will be held July 4 at 11am through downtown featuring local marching bands, pageant winners, patriotic floats, fire trucks, & lots of candy! Questions, call (269) 637-5252 or (800) SO-HAVEN.

Fourth of July Celebration
July 4-6, 2013, Cedarville
Enjoy the spectacular view of fireworks over Cedarville Bay from the Cedarville’s downtown waterfront park or the lawn of the Great Lakes Boat Building School on July 4. Earlier that day, our parade, kids games, hot dogs and burgers, Up in Smoke BBQ, races and contests, and more wind down into early evening with music on the bay by Dance Commander DJ and a Jersey Mud eating contest. For more information, call (906) 484-3935

Cedar Polka Fest
July 4-7 2013, Cedar
The Cedar Polka Fest is held yearly in Cedar, Michigan, under the big tent on the tennis courts. Highlights include a parade on Saturday at noon, softball tournament, a polka mass and polka under the big, big tent with the big names of polka. For more information on this event call (231) 228-3378 or visit the website.

These are just a few of the many events happening next month in Pure Michigan. Please visit michigan.org for a complete listing.

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Gear Up for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

May 17, 2013

in Events,Guest Blogger,Sports

The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix returns to the Motor City May 31-June 2, 2013 with three days of world-class auto racing, live music, interactive games and displays all on beautiful Belle Isle Park. Robert Stone, a public relations intern with the race, has gotten a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the making of the Grand Prix. Today, he shares his experience with us.

Read from him below and learn more about the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on michigan.org.

When I was growing up, sports were a huge part of my childhood – both playing them and getting to watch them. The love continued through college and my plan was always to somehow work in sports. Well, I’m getting my first chance this spring as the public relations intern with the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. I love that the job has given me the opportunity to be part of a very positive event in Detroit and the State of Michigan. With the race coming up May 31 – June 2 on Belle Isle, we’ve been doing a lot of media tours with race car drivers to promote the race and I’ve really had a chance to experience some cool things and kind of see Detroit and Michigan through the eyes of some world-class athletes.

I didn’t know a lot about cars and racing when I joined the Grand Prix team, but luckily having prior motorsports knowledge was not a requirement for this position. With a little research I was able to become slightly more knowledgeable than I was before coming on board. As the drivers started to come to Detroit to help us promote the race, I was initially more excited about the chance to visit our local radio and TV stations to see how everything worked. But the ability to sit and spend time with some of these amazing drivers was an unreal experience as they shared their thoughts on all sorts of topics.

Christian Fittipaldi was one of the first drivers to come to Detroit this year to help us promote the event. He is a former CART and NASCAR driver who now drives for the Action Express Racing team in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series, and his uncle is racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi. The Fittipaldi last name was familiar to me, but I was still learning about the GRAND-AM series and the high-tech sports cars they drive. As the day went on we started talking racing and Christian mentioned that he could close his eyes and basically drive the Belle Isle track in his mind, even more than 10 years after he last did it in person, and that was incredible to me. Every time I try and close my eyes to picture a drive the thoughts go so slowly, but he was able to drive the course at race speed in his mind. Just being able to spend time with a guy who has been in some of the biggest races in the world and share his thoughts on what it was like was incredible.

The next week we had the pleasure of welcoming IndyCar fan-favorite James Hinchcliffe to town. The “Mayor of Hinchtown,” as he likes to call himself, replaced Danica Patrick in the GoDaddy.com Chevrolet IndyCar for Andretti Autosport. Hinchcliffe didn’t have the best experience at Belle Isle last year as he was the driver claimed by the track before they stopped the race to fix the surface. To show that he didn’t have any hard feelings towards the event and to help showcase all of the work that has been done on Belle Isle to make it a premiere race course, Hinchcliffe spent the morning moving tires in a forklift to help us prepare for the event. It was a great way to demonstrate how he had moved on from the incident and that the Grand Prix is ready to host an incredible race weekend in just a few weeks. Getting to spend the day with “Hinch” proved that his fun loving, joking nature isn’t an act or for show but it’s the type of guy he is. It was also cool to watch him on TV win on the streets of Brazil just a few days after leaving Detroit.

JR Hildebrand, who drives the National Guard Chevy IndyCar for Panther Racing, came to town the next week and he threw out the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game, which allowed the staff access to the field as well. I’ve been to a Tigers game early before to watch batting practice, but being able to stand on the field and watch these guys hitting the ball was an unbelievable experience. Then getting to jump with JR from the radio broadcast booth to an interview with Fox Sports Detroit gave me the chance to experience the behind-the-scenes areas of Comerica Park that very few people have seen. The next day we went to the GM Heritage Center, which is packed with classic cars showing the lineage of the GM brand from the 1920s to today. As I said, I am not really a car guy, but it was hard not to be in awe at the Heritage Center with so many amazing vehicles. It had all of the history of the GM brand in one room, from a replica of one of the first racecars to GM’s first electric car and an SUV that could drive itself. One of the cars had less than 50 miles on it, which is amazing because I drive farther than that to get to work every day! I could have spent hours in that place just trying to soak up everything that the Heritage Center had to offer.

Being able to be a part of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences was way more than I ever thought I’d experience working in my position. Just the opportunity to be around these drivers and watch them do normal things like talk to people on Twitter or relate to current events and issues made me realize that they are just normal, good guys. Guys that happen to drive really fast for a living with a lot of guts and a lot of skill. Working for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix has been an unbelievable experience so far, and it is just getting revved up.

There is going to be so much going on race weekend at Belle Isle, it is going to be an incredible experience for fans and I’m just really excited that I will get to be a part of bringing this great event to life. If you want to learn more about the Grand Prix please check out www.DetroitGP.com and follow us on Twitter @DetroitGP.

Robert Stone is the public relations intern with the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. He is currently working towards his Master’s Degree in Sports Administration at Central Michigan University. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his girlfriend Jenn, dog Jake and cats Cleo, Oreo and Professor Fuzzy Boots.

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A Blast of Fun at the 2013 Motown Winter Blast

February 5, 2013

in Events,Guest Blogger

The Motown Winter Blast is happening in Detroit February 8 – 10, 2013! Dan Fuoco of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau fills us in on what to expect at this fun celebration.

The city known for cars will be taken over by foot traffic for three days of winter bliss during the 2013 Motown Winter Blast. Detroit’s focal point, Campus Martius Park, plays host to family friendly activities, comfort food and winter-related games Feb. 8-10. Enjoy free ice skating on the Campus Martius rink, snow-shoeing, carnival games and other fun wintery activities. Music-lovers will hear melodies from two stages with a lineup of more than 50 bands and entertainment acts performing to an expected crowd of 75,000.

Hockey is back in Detroit, and for the first time, the Detroit Red Wings will have a pair of interactive hockey games, including Hockey Shot. Throughout the weekend, attendees will have a chance to shoot and score cool prizes including a grand prize which features two tickets to an upcoming Red Wings home game, a weekend in Detroit package, courtesy of the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel and a choice of a free set of braces or a premium dental care kit from GEDC (door prizes for each participant, too).

All of that hockey action is sure to make you hungry, so check out the Taste of Detroit for samples from local eateries and satisfy your sweet tooth at the marshmallow roasting station or with cookies from Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. For a full sit-down meal, try nearby Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub for burgers, fish and chips, and other pub classics, or stop in at the Hard Rock Café on Monroe Street — right in the middle of Winter Blast activities. Santorini offers Greek flare with an open, sea shore dining experience while Detroit Seafood Market offers fresh fish and pristine seafood.

Kids (and kids at-heart) can stop by the Kids Zone, which features performances by magicians, jugglers, puppeteers and more. Children can bring stuffed animals or toys for a check-up by the Disney Radio “Doc McStuffins” inspired area to monitor their toys’ height, reflexes and heartbeat. Additionally, kids and families are invited to play games such as “Bandage Me Up!,” “Name That Doc McStuffins Character” and more, all thanks to Detroit Medical Center.

For the over-21 crowd, an after party on Friday night and the annual Saturday night Bar Blast are a must. The Bar Blast will be hosted at multiple venues around downtown Detroit, and wristbands can be purchased at any participating location.

Once you’ve reached the point of exhaustion, it would be wise to retreat to nearby hotels like the Westin Book Cadillac or Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – Detroit Downtown which are both within walking distance of Winter Blast.

Visit the Motown Winter Blast website to check performance schedules and activity details as they’re updated.

Learn more at michigan.org and let us know if you’ll be checking out the Motown Winter Blast this year!

Dan Fuoco is the Interactive Marketing Manager for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (VisitDetroit) and is responsible for building and engaging with VisitDetroit’s social media and blog communities. You can find him geeking out over: social media infographics, muscle cars and Detroit. Follow him on Twitter (@DanFuoco), Facebook, Google+ and periodically on Pinterest.

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See Where You Can Meet Your Favorite Detroit Tigers Players (Plus A Giveaway!)

January 22, 2013

in Giveaway

Spring is still a couple of months away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about baseball season in Detroit! The 2013 Tigers Winter Caravanis set for this Thursday, January 24^th and Friday, January 25^th, where star players, coaches and managers will travel throughout Detroit and the state of Michigan spreading baseball fever. Members of the Pure Michigan team will be tagging along as well to provide fans live updates and behind-the-scenes info. See a full schedule of the tour here or follow @PureMichigan , @tigers or the #DETCaravan hashtag on Twitter.

To learn more and get the inside scoop on the Tigers, we spoke with announcer Mario Impemba. See his answers below.

Plus – we have a very special giveaway for one lucky Tigers fan in advance of the upcoming season. See details at the bottom of this post.

Q: Having been on the Tigers Caravan in years past, what are some of your favorite memories?
A: I would say traveling to Northern Michigan. The fans up north are very passionate about the Tigers and you can see it in the turnouts we have. I also think the visits we have made to local hospitals are very rewarding. Seeing the looks on the faces of patients when their favorite Tigers walk into the room is priceless. It’s great to put a smile on someone’s face when they are stuck in a hospital bed.

Q: What is it like calling games for a team that is very focused on bringing home a championship?
A: It’s great. It wasn’t too long ago when the Tigers lost 119 games in a season and to see how far the franchise has come in a short period of time is incredible. The 2013 version of the Tigers should be very good and I would expect that there will be a lot of buzz surrounding the team when we get to Lakeland for Spring Training.

Q: How do you see that passion to win resonating into the fan base?
A: Tigers fans are some of the most passionate in baseball. You can see how badly they want to win a World Series. When the team isn’t doing well, they get very upset. They expect a lot out of their team and I would think this season will be no different. Everywhere we go on the road, Tigers fans are visible. They travel well and support the team as well as any major league club.

Q: Last year the Tigers drew 3+ million fans to Comerica Park. What is it like calling a game when the ballpark is packed, and how does it change the game?
A: Well, it’s a different feel, that’s for sure. We call a lot of games on the road where crowds are small and not very loud, so when we return home to 40,000 people, it makes a world of difference. There is just more energy at Comerica Park and it makes calling the games much more enjoyable.

Q: What makes up a perfect day at the ball park?
A: No rain! Ha-ha. Actually any day at the ball park is perfect for me, but the Sunday day games are the best because you see so many families with kids out at the park. Kids also get to run the bases after the game on Sundays.

Q: What is your favorite Detroit memory?
A: There are too many to pick just one. My favorite memories professionally include calling Justin Verlander’s two no-hitters, Magglio’s home run to send the Tigers to the World Series in 2006 and the champaign celebrations that I have covered in the Tigers locker room after clinching.
Personally, it was watching the Tigers play at old Tiger Stadium when I was a kid.

Q: What does Pure Michigan mean to you?
A: A 75 degree summer night in Detroit at Comerica Park watching Tigers baseball.

Detroit native Mario Impemba enters his 11th season as the popular play-by-play announcer on FOX Sports Detroit’s coverage of the Tigers. Learn more about Mario at at MarioImpemba.com or on Twitter @Mario_Impemba.

To help spread baseball fever even further, we’re offering one lucky fan the chance to win a Tigers World Series flag (pictured left), which measures 2 1/2 feet wide by over 7 1/2 feet long. To be eligible to win, simply tell us in the comments section below what you think makes up a perfect day at the ballpark. Please also include your email address. Comments must be submitted by this Thursday, January 24th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET. We’ll then select one lucky winner at random as the winner and will alert the winner by Friday, January 25th using the email address provided (we won’t share it or sell it to anybody).