Welcome to Hamtramck, Michigan. 

For the past 40 years, we've had a celebration on Joseph Campau's Main Street to mark Labor Day weekend. This is one of the best Labor Day events in Michigan!

This year's festival, which is sponsored by HATCH, includes the Hamtramck tradition of boat races along Jos. Campau as well as a variety of activities for all, such as wrestling on Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5. The Hamtramck Labor Day Parade will be on Monday, September 5. 

There will be a ton of entertainment, food, and music as always. The Hamtramck Labor Day Festival never has a dull moment with its single stage, numerous restaurant booths, and long lineup of carnival attractions.

Hamtramck Labor Day Festival in 2022

The 42nd Hamtramck Labor Day Festival will take place on September 3, 4, and 5, 2022.

As always, entry is free!

Labor Day Festival Schedule

History of the Volunteers Festival, Hamtramck, and Labor Day Festival History: 42 years of enjoyment at the Hamtramck City Festival

When the Hamtramck City Festival was initially suggested in 1980, it was the worst possible moment.

The greatest crisis the city had ever experienced was at its height. The plant at Dodge Main had just shut down. The plant, which produced tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in income, had characterized Hamtramck for seven decades.

The city was in a depressing frame of mind as it faced an uncertain future. At the time, former Mayor Robert Kozaren came up with the idea of holding a sizable municipal festival to uplift people' spirits and demonstrate to the rest of the world that Hamtramck was a resilient community that could grin in the face of adversity.

The inaugural event was soon scheduled for late September. It was a cool Friday as the bands at the festival on Joseph Campau, just north of Caniff, started to set up.

With over 100,000 attendees, it was a big success right away. The ability to party is one thing Hamtramck residents excel at. But it wasn't limited to residents of Hamtramck. The event attracted attendees from all around the metro region who came to enjoy the entertainment, food, and crafts.

The celebration was shifted to Labor Day the following year to take advantage of the nicer weather and extended vacation weekend. Additionally, the annual Polish Day Parade on Labor Day began to be connected with it.

The Festival has evolved throughout time, adding new merchants and performers, but it has remained surprisingly consistent in its capacity to provide a good time for everyone.

(City Historian Greg Kowalski)

History of Hamtramck

As a dusty farming village on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, Hamtramck, which was established in the years after the American Revolution, went virtually unnoticed for more than a century. With the debut of John and Horace Dodge's auto manufacturing in 1910, the town underwent a major transformation. Ten years later, Hamtramck was a thriving metropolis. It was one of the most densely inhabited cities in the US in 1930 with 56,000 inhabitants in a 2.1 square mile area.

The majority of this expanding population was made up of Polish immigrants. It was, in a way, the classic immigrant tale. Typically, these "Huddled masses" brought only what they were wearing and a steamer box filled with their possessions when they immigrated to the United States. They quickly accumulated enough savings to purchase houses on small lots. They arrived looking for a better life, just like so many others. The Polish immigrants yearned for democracy after years of oppression by the Russians, Prussians, Austrians, and Germans. They accepted democracy and started running for office right away. By the time Hamtramck became a city in 1922, the Poles had taken over and had transformed it into a place of raging politics, gritty urbanization, wild entertainment, and an intense sense of living. They were accompanied. Hamtramck retained its reputation as an immigrant neighborhood even after the noises of heavy industry receded and the Polish Americans were drawn away from the city by the allure of the expansive suburbs. African Americans have contributed to the community's fabric's consistency from Hamtramck's founding. Today's Arabs, Bangladeshis, Bosnians, Serbians, and other nationalities still find the city to be a desirable location to dwell, just as it did over a century ago when it drew hordes of immigrants.

Between then and today, it's been a crazy voyage. Big commercial tycoons, Communist schemes, infamous criminals, labor goons, corruption of mind-boggling dimensions, and devastating political feuds are all dramatized in the narrative of Hamtramck. But just as avarice and a quest for power motivate certain "Hamtramckans," so does the desire to construct sturdy homes in a respectable neighborhood. Hamtramck is driven by industry as much as intense emotions.

This is a tale of steadfast principles, profound convictions, kind and ground-breaking educational initiatives, and a very complex social system. Intriguing and wealthy individuals, both noble and lofty, corrupt and charismatic, may all be found in this narrative. It is mostly a tale of amazing individuals.

The post Have Fun this Labor Day with the Hamtramck, Michigan Labor Day Festival and Parade appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

One of the best events and circus shows is right here in the Dearborn area this summer. You won’t want to miss Cirque Italia and their Water Circus shows!

Cirque Italia performs "Spectacular shows" in a stunning display of European flair. 

The fact that CIRQUE ITALIA comprises a variety of specially created elements and goes from city to city displays a distinctive quality under our tents. Silver Unit and Gold Unit, two transportable water performances created by Cirque Italia, include a stage holding 35,000 gallons of water that actors sparkle over as they enthrall the audience with every motion. Visitors will be amazed by this special feature under the tent since it is a performance all on its own! The newest production from Cirque Italia, "Paranormal Cirque," is geared for our older fans who wish to escape into an exhilarating experience.

History Of Cirque Italia

The American ideal and one stubborn Italian businessman, Manuel Rebecchi, came together to create Cirque Italia. The Water Circus has developed from its inception in 2012 into one of the most avant-garde touring productions ever presented in the United States. A second Water Circus was introduced by Cirque Italia in 2017, and in 2018 we are happy to introduce Paranormal Cirque, a strange but entertaining blend of circus, theater, and cabaret. Cirque Slammer is a new show with a jail theme that we just debuted in 2021.

The Story Of Cirque Italia

"Aquatic Spectacular" is presented by Cirque Italia. Since the performance utilizes a specially created water stage that moves from city to city, the name represents a distinctive feature under the tent. 35,000 gallons of water are on the stage, which the performers wow the audience with as they walk over it. Visitors will be amazed by this "special feature" under the tent since it is a unique show!

Cirque Italia, an Italian entertainment business founded in 2012, presents a show with a European flair. A "vivid, dramatic, and moving experience within a specialized traveling tent" is how it is characterized.

European Style

Cirque Italia combines a love of production with a passion for circus skills to provide a memorable evening.
The high-energy performers at Cirque Italia test the limits of human performance as they ride BMX bikes and roller skate through the crowd. In order to create a business that leaves people in awe and rivals scrambling to catch up, founder Manuel Rebecchi—the nephew of Moira Orfei, the well-known queen of the Italian circus—combined his family's history with his own ground-breaking concepts.

The acts, which were inspired by the element of water, use human movement to demonstrate variety and fluidity as shower curtains and fountain jets crisscross in time with each step. The interdimensional impression is additionally enhanced with laser lights and bubbles. Mermaids emerge from the depths, and even dinosaurs appear as a homage to the inner kid.

The post Awesome Events: The Cirque Italia Water Circus Is the Greatest Show on Water appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

Taking a private tour of our opulent, stylish apartments located in the center of our pet-friendly neighborhood set on more than 100 acres of beautiful nature is the first step toward the unmatched experience at Fairlane Woods Apartments. Before even stepping through the door frame of your new home, you will be enveloped in the comforts and conveniences that our neighbors respect and enjoy the moment you step foot on our large and beautifully maintained 130+ acre grounds.

Beat the heat with our amazing lakeside swimming pool and grill with friends on our gorgeous complex!

Other Amenities:

• 130+ Acres of Majestic Landscaped Grounds

• Fully Remodeled Resident Clubhouse

• Selected

• Health and Fitness Center

• Brand New Free Weights

• Community Life Program

• Gated Entrance Residential Community

• Tech and Business Center

• Private Lakeside Swimming Pool

• Poolside Sundeck

• Outdoor Lounge and Grilling Area

• Dog Park

• Pet-Friendly Community – No Size Restriction

• 24 Hour Guaranteed Maintenance Response

• We C.A.T.E.R Concierge Services

Your health as a resident is our top priority. In order to better serve you, Fairlane Woods Estate Apartment Homes in Dearborn, Michigan offers a wide range of amenities, including recently renovated kitchens and a private lakeside swimming pool with a wraparound sundeck.

Benefits:

Private access, enclosed reserved garage parking, a cutting-edge workout facility with free weights, and a wellness and meditation center are all features of our upscale community. Along with the typical kitchen appliances, all of our apartment units come equipped with a washer and dryer. Imagine receiving all of this as a standard benefit of living at Fairlane Woods Estate Apartment Homes. And that's before we even mention our great location close to Ford Motor Company and other significant local employers. We also provide furnished apartments; for more details, get in touch with our leasing office. Stop wasting time now. Visit us right away to see for yourself why Fairlane Woods Estate Apartment Homes is unquestionably one of Dearborn's best locations.

Be a part of our community that has won awards by joining today! Both the 2019 Apartment Ratings Top Rated Award and the 2018 Satisfacts Insite Award for Resident Satisfaction have been given to Fairlane Woods Apartments. We are dedicated to giving you an exceptional living experience and we can't wait to have you as our guest.
Come take a look at Fairlane Woods Estate Apartment Homes, where you may live the life you want, personally by scheduling a visit with us today.

Are you ready to experience Fairlane Woods firsthand? Set up a meeting today. Choose from the available options the self-directed or conventional guided tour that best suits your needs.

The post Beat the Summer Heat With Our Lakeside Swimming Pool and Other Amenities appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

A Picture Perfect Day

The breeze cools your skin as you reach into an ice-cold cooler for a drink. It's a beautiful day in Michigan.
Hot dogs sizzle, watermelon drips, and potato salad is served in bowls.
All of the senses are stimulated by the sights and sounds, aromas and feelings. The rides, games, and booths exude joy, and laughter echoes throughout the park, reflecting off the lake. Baseballs collide with gloves, and frisbees fly until dusk. Then, as if the day couldn't get any better…

The dark, open sky explodes with color over the trees, showering sparks in stunning red, blue, yellow, and green hues.
The crowd lets out "oohs" and "ahs," and the rockets whistle, whizz, and swirl, creating a vibrant atmosphere of light overhead. People are staring in awe as the energy level reaches an all-time high.
Take in the beauty of this moment, this wondrous holiday –

Fourth of July Fireworks!

Fairlane Woods understands that 2021 was a difficult year and that you are eager to see the shows. We put together the best fireworks shows near Dearborn, Michigan, despite the fact that they were somewhat limited last year. For more information, click on the following links:

1. Salute to America: Summer Stroll

   With a limited number of free local shows this year, Salute to America is one of the best ways to celebrate the Fourth of July in Dearborn. This event is held annually by the Henry Ford and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and while tickets are not free, they are well worth the price. During the four-day event, three Detroit Symphony Orchestra performance areas with rotating ensembles will be on stage. Street food, cold beer, treats, and more, as well as a spectacular fireworks display, round out the festivities. Tickets are on sale for the festival, which runs from June 30 to July 3rd Here.

2. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks fireworks display
   The Huron-Clinton Metroparks fireworks displays are one of Southeast Michigan's favorite traditions, bringing together so much fun and excitement. Tens of thousands of our neighbors gather – over picnics and under the stars – to celebrate our country's independence. You can be a part of it. The Rick Lieder Trio will provide live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. At 10 p.m., there will be a fireworks display.

Ages: Suitable for all ages.
From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
To enter the park, you must have a Metroparks daily or annual pass.

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or know of other shows!

The post Dearborn’s Best Places to See Fireworks this Fourth of July appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

2020's game, postponed amid the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, was ultimately held in July with no fans in the stands. In 2021, a limited number of spectators were permitted into the stadium for the team's home opener, but festivities were tamed by spiking cases and a vaccination effort still in its infancy.

Friday's event (which also almost didn't happen) marks an apparent return to "normal": Comerica Park will allow full stadium capacity and will not require masking; parties, tailgates and barbecues will again fill the city's streets and bars.

Planning to head downtown for the return of Detroit's favorite unofficial holiday? Here's everything you need to know.

When is Tigers Opening Day?

When: 1:10 p.m. Friday April 8.

Where: Comerica Park, Detroit.

TV/radio: Bally Sports, WXYT-FM (97.1; other radio affiliates).

Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodríguez (9-3, 3.61 ERA last year) vs. White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA).

Where to get Opening Day tickets

Tigers Opening Day tickets are nearly sold out. Although options are pretty picked over, terrace and standing room tickets are still available through official vendor Tickets.com. Prices range from $55 for a standing room spot to $89 for a terrace seat.

Don't see a seat you like? Additional tickets can be found on third-party resale sites, including StubHub, where prices range from $70 to more than $300.

Opening Day weather forecast

Veterans of Detroit's past Opening Day games will be unsurprised to learn that Friday's forecast calls for a coat and an umbrella.

A high temperature of 47 degrees is predicted, with cloudy skies throughout the day and possibly some light showers, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Chance of rain is at 85%.

First Pitch and National Anthem

The National Anthem will be performed by Detroit native and 12-time Grammy Award winner Jack White. It'll be the first time performing the Anthem for the Cass Tech alum, who kicks off his 2022 tour Friday with a pair of shows at Detroit's Masonic Temple Theatre.

Following White's performance, fans will be treated to a flyover of Comerica Park by four A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthog” aircrafts from the 107th Fighter Squadron.

The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Amari Bartee, son of former Tigers player and first base coach Kimera Bartee, who tragically passed away in December at age 49.

Get to the park early! Gates will open at 10:30 a.m, and attendees are encouraged to take their seats no later than 12:40 p.m. in order to catch the pre-game action.

Early birds can take advantage of the Miller Lite Home Run Happy Hour on the Pepsi Porch, which offers $5 concessions (including beer!) from 10:30 a.m. til noon.

The post Detroit Tigers Preview and Opening Day Festivities appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

Detroit has a deep history here in America, from the industrial revolution to the center for Ford Automotive in Dearborn. The city is host to some surprisingly good art and cultural museums, besides the obvious automotive museums here in Motor City. To explore the history and art of the Detroit area a little more, we have put together a list of some of the must-see museums in the Dearborn and Detroit metro areas. 

The Henry Ford Museum

20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI

313-855-5048

Hours:

• Mon – Fri 9 am – 5 pm

• Sat 9 am – 3 pm

• Sun 9 am – 1 pm

Starting right here in Dearborn, we love the Henry Ford Museum and its partner Greenfield Village. Packed full of historically significant objects, including the bus on which Rosa Parks defied segregation, the chair in which Lincoln was sitting when he was assassinated, and Thomas Edison’s laboratory. If you’re in Motor City for cars though, there’s the first car Ford ever built, and you can ride in a Ford from 1923.

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI

(313) 833-7900

Hours:

• Closed Mon – Tues

• Wed – Fri 9 am – 4 pm

• Sat – Sun 10 am – 5 pm

The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the world’s finest art museums; its huge collection of art from across the globe features everything from Egyptian statuettes and suits of armor to paintings by Monet and Van Gogh. Set in 100 galleries, not forgetting Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry frescoes in the central court of the museum, you’ll need multiple visits to truly appreciate it all.

Detroit Historical Museum

5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI

(313) 833-1805

Hours:

• Thu – Sat 10 am – 5 pm

• Sun 1 pm – 5 pm

The primary museum from the Detroit Historical Society has been around in one form or another since 1928 when it occupied a single room in a downtown skyscraper. Since then, it has grown significantly, with exhibits depicting over 300 years of Detroit history, demonstrating how it evolved from a French fur trading post into a major industrial center.

Michigan Science Center (MiSci)

5020 John R. Street, Detroit

(313) 577-8400

Hours:

• Update: TEMPORARILY CLOSED

• While this is closed at the moment, it is a must-see and should reopen shortly!

If you prefer your museum a bit more hands-on, MiSci is a far more interactive experience, with live stage shows, a 4D theater, and lab activities and exhibitions with which to get involved. There’s also an IMAX® theatre, a planetarium, and After Dark events for those over the age of 21 to enjoy the museum with a drink or two.

What are your favorite Detroit Museums? Tell us in the comments!

The post The Best Museums Around Dearborn and Detroit appeared first on Fairlane Woods Apartments Blog.

Detroit’s Thanksgiving parade is as much a part of the city’s history as Motown and the automotive industry. Next to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, America’s Thanksgiving Parade is arguably the country’s most famous, well-attended, and historical.

It began in 1924 and draws hundreds of spectators every fourth Thursday in November. It’s the parade’s world-famous vintage, papier-mâché heads and specialty performers that keep attendees interested and engaged along Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit each year.

Imaginative Beginnings

The story of how Detroit became a parade destination is as colorful and exciting as the spectacle itself. Detroit’s parade shares the title for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, along with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It all began in 1924 when the display director of the J.L. Hudson Company department store, Charles Wendel, learned of the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade in Toronto and thought a similar parade would make a great addition to Detroit, which at the time was at the forefront of the auto industry boom.

Interestingly, it was the American department store that catapulted the Thanksgiving parade tradition into cities throughout the country. Department stores like Macy’s drew in patrons through exciting holiday window displays. Philadelphia’s Gimbels started the tradition in 1920, with Macy’s and Detroit’s Hudson’s following suit just four years later.

Wendel had a reputation for creating unique, European-inspired department store window displays. After his initial idea for the parade gained support in the community, he collaborated with some Italian puppeteers to create papier-mâché heads, dubbed Big Heads.

The director got the idea for the oversized, wearable heads after seeing Italians wear them during Carnival in Italy. These iconic antiques have been well-preserved over the years and are still worn during the parade today.

With the exception of 1943 and 1944, there has been an America’s Thanksgiving Parade every year since 1924. During these years, the parade was suspended due to material shortages caused by World War II.

Hudson’s officially closed its flagship store on Woodward Avenue in 1998 and the rest of its stores by 2001. Luckily, Hudson’s turned operations over to the Detroit Renaissance Foundation — which later became the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation — much earlier, in 1979.   

The Parade Today

In 1990, the organization founded The Parade Company as a division to oversee operations and marketing of the parade. This non-profit still runs the annual parade today, as well as a summer fireworks show and two other Thanksgiving-themed events.

Curious parade-lovers can actually get up-close and personal with America’s Thanksgiving Parade on a parade studio tour, which includes the world’s largest collection of papier-mâché heads that resemble local icons and famous characters.

These original Big Heads are still a major part of the Thanksgiving parade today. In fact, some parade-goers and participants will note that some original Italian newsprint is still visible on the papier-mâché masks.

Now, a group of Detroit’s young professionals dons the masks — which include animals, flowers, and depictions of famous Detroiters like Rosa Parks, Bob Seger, and Diana Ross — as part of the Big Heads Corps. The heads that make their way down Woodward Avenue every Thanksgiving Day are still made in Viareggio, Italy.

How to Watch the Parade

The annual Detroit Thanksgiving parade takes place at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The parade route begins at Kirby and Woodward Ave. and culminates at Congress and Woodward Avenue. Visitors are welcome to watch the parade in real-time along the street. The introduction of Santa Claus, who appears to signify the start of the Christmas season, marks the end of the parade.

Some famous Grand Marshals of the parade include Keegan-Michael Key, Jessica Simpson, Mickey Mouse, and The Rockettes. You can watch the live broadcast on WDIV-TV Local 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. According to The Parade Company, over 65 million households will be able to watch it via WDIV.

For more information on America’s Thanksgiving Parade, be sure to pick up a copy of Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to learn more about this iconic holiday tradition.

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