Now entering its eighth year, GM River Days will take place June 20-22, 2014 along the Detroit River in Downtown Detroit. This one of a kind festival takes place along the Detroit Riverfront – from the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Terminal & Dock just west of the GM Renaissance Center, to Rivard Plaza and the William G. Milliken State Park.
River Days is a celebration of Detroit’s RiverWalk with activities on land and water. Experience all the RiverWalk has to offer, from the tall ships, jet-ski demos and riverboat tours to live music, sand sculptures, kids activities, delicious eats and much more!
GM River Days has a $3 admission fee that supplements the sponsorship dollars to help put on the festival. Children ages 3 and under as well as seniors ages 65 and up are not required to pay an admission fee.
Admission to GM River Days
will be FREE between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014
- Festival Events -
Jet Ski Demonstrations
Don't miss the excitement of the Jet-Ski Demonstrations! The Detroit Riverfront becomes a stage when Typhoon Tommy brings the Detroit River Freestyle Championships on Friday, June 20th through Sunday, June 22nd. Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.
Flagstar Bank Kids Zone
The Flagstar Bank Kids Zone at Rivard Plaza and William G. Milliken State Park will be the scene of excitement and laughter during the festival. All the activities are FREE- just be sure to pick up your free sticker from the Flagstar Bank Booth. Features include face painting, hand painted post cards with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), recyclable crafts with Arts & Scraps, and the Meijer Kids Stage.
Free Coast Guard Boat Tours on the Bristol Bay through out the weekend!
Docked at the new Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Dock during the 2014 River Days festival will be a 140 foot tall ship for visitors to tour, courtesy of Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The Appledore IV (85’) scooner hails from Bay City Michigan and our operated by BaySail.
Sand Sculptures presented by Quicken Loans
Returning to River Days in 2014 will be the amazing Sand Sculptures presented by Quicken Loans. The event will feature one 150 ton sand sculptures designed by Team Sandtastic and sponsored by Quicken Loans! Team Sandtastic, from Sarasota, Florida, creates 50-60 sand sculptures each year and will showcase their amazing talents near Rivard Plaza & Pavilion.
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| The Percussion Band performs on Friday (photo credit - The Detroit News) |
Soaring Eagle Music Stage Schedule
Metro Detroit’s hottest rock, pop, blues and funk acts will fill the Soaring Eagle Music Stage, located along the Detroit Riverfront just east of Beaubien Street, featuring:
Friday, June 20
12:00 p.m. Emilio Basa (Acoustic Pop)
2:00 p.m. Seven Story Fall (Pop Punk)
3:30 p.m. The Flutter and Wow (Rustbelt Americana)
5:00 p.m. Feral Ground (Living Hip Hop)
6:30 p.m. Yvette Meadows & The Family (Contemporary Jazz)
8:00 p.m. Bobby Murray (Blues)
9:30 p.m. Larry Lee & Back in the Day (Ol’Skool Funk & R&B)
Saturday, June 21
12:00 p.m. The Understory (Folk Soul)
1:30 p.m. Candace Sosa (Singer/Songwriter)
3:00 p.m. Lightening Bugs (Indie Alternative Rock)
4:30 p.m. Half Light Music (Alternative Pop)
6:00 p.m. Tom Butwin (Pop/Rock)
8:00 p.m. Social Bandits (Rock)
9:30 p.m. Random Family (Pop/Rock)
Sunday, June 22
12:00 p.m. Zander Michigan (Folk)
2:00 p.m. Bobby Black & The Runnin’ Kind (Country)
3:30 p.m. Laura Rain and The Caesars (Soul/R&B)
5:00 p.m. The Zydeco Hep Cats (Zydeco)
6:30 p.m. Chunky Funk (Rock R&B Blues)
8:00 p.m. Laith Al-Saadi (Soulful Rock & Blues)
Chevrolet Music Stage Schedule
The best of metro Detroit’s rock, alternatwill play on the Chevrolet Music Stage, located along on the GM Plaza in front of the Renaissance Center, featuring:
Friday, June 20
11:30 p.m. We 3 and She (Pop-Folk)
1:30 p.m. Carl Henry (Blues)
3:00 p.m. Banned from Detroit (Rock & Roll)
4:30 p.m. Le Voyage (Indie Rock)
6:00 p.m. Billy Brandt & The Sugarees (Roots Americana)
7:30 p.m. Notorious (Funky Soul)
9:30 p.m. The Persuasion Band (Straight up PARTY!)
Saturday, June 21
11:30 a.m. Abigail Stauffer (Singer/Songwriter)
1:30 p.m. The Imps (Rock)
3:00 p.m. Nagasaki Watchmen (Alternative Rock)
4:30 p.m. Nigel & The Drop Out (Indie Electro Rock)
6:00 p.m. Alan Turner & The Steal Horse Band (Rock n’ Country)
8:00 p.m. Savage Rascals (Progressive Fusion)
10:00 p.m. Kaleido (Rock/Pop)
Sunday, June 22
11:30 a.m. KayLyn Pace (Country)
1:00 p.m. Cry Eloise (Blues Rock)
2:30 p.m. The Delta Twins (Blues Rock & Soul)
4:00 p.m. The Reefermen (Funk n’ Rock)
5:30 p.m. The Ruiners (Punk)
7:00 p.m. Jesse Wagner and Envy (Rock Soul)
8:30 p.m. The Infatuations (Funk, Rock & Soul)
Meijer Kids’ Stage Schedule
Friday, June 20
11:00 a.m. River Days Kickoff Ribbon-cutting
1:00 p.m. Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront Kick-off
2:00 p.m. DynaMike Master Magician
3:00 p.m. Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music
Saturday, June 21
11:00 a.m.Welcome (Music, announcements, trivia, etc.)
11:30 a.m. Storyteller, Lauren Thomas
12:00 p.m. Music (Crowd warm-up, announcements, trivia, etc.)
12:30 p.m. Radio Disney LIVE! Win, Lose or Draw Edition Fueled by Dole Fruit Squish’ems
featuring Joey Bragg from Disney Channel’s “Liv & Maddie”
4:30 p.m. Music (announcements, trivia, etc.)
5:00 p.m. Radio Disney Detroit Road Crew Show
6:15 p.m. Music
Sunday, June 22
11:00 a.m. Welcome (Music, announcements, trivia, etc.)
11:30 a.m. DynaMike Master Magician
12:15 p.m. Storyteller, Lauren Thomas
1:00 p.m. Animal Magic
2:15 p.m. Radio Disney Detroit Road Crew Show
3:30 p.m. Storyteller, Lauren Thomas
4:00 p.m. DynaMike Master Magician
4:30 p.m. Radio Disney Detroit Road Crew Show
5:00 p.m. Animal Magic
Diamond Jack River Boat Tours
Diamond Jacks River Tours will be docked at Rivard Plaza during River Days! Festivalgoers will be able to take 1-hour tours and experience the sights along the newly refurbished RiverWalk from the Detroit River. These tours will be presented at a discounted rate, with $10 tickets (regularly $17) for adults and seniors, and $5 tickets (regularly $13) for children. Children under 5 years of age are free with an adult. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding.
Meijer Kids Stage
Inside the Flagstar Bank Kids Zone you'll find the Meijer Kids Stage. Programmed by Radio Disney, the stage will feature interactive programming, sing-a-longs, educational segments and much more.
RiverWalk Buskers
Back at the festival this year will be buskers and street performers along the Riverwalk! These performances will be located at the GM Fountain area, along the Riverwalk at St. Antoine and along the Riverwalk west of Rivard Plaza.
Friday Night Bike Night!
Join 104.3 WOMC for GM River Days and the second annual Bike Night! Rally down at the Detroit Riverfront. There will be FREE parking for your bike – plus free admission wristbands for the evening if you arrive on your bike! Stay to see John Kay & Steppenwolf as they perform live on the Michigan Lottery National stage. River Days’ Friday Night Bike Night is all about you, your ride, the music and the river!
Milliken State Park Activities
Sponsored by Pure Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is putting together fun FREE activities all weekend long in Milliken State Park. While River Days takes place June 20-22, the Park is open all year long,right next to Rivard Plaza and Pavillion. Some of the fun activities you'll see this year are listed below:Wildlife
“Get up close and personal with Michigan’s wildlife with a hands-on display of animal furs, skulls and replica tracks and scat! Go wild for Michigan’s wildlife!”
Let’s Go Fishing!
Come learn how to tie the simplest knot in fishing, take a pic with Mr. Muskie, and fill out a pledge to go fishing this summer – all at Fisheries Division’s booth! Give-aways and informational materials will be on hand, as well as folks to answer all your fishing questions.
Fascinating Forestry
Learn about how important trees are to the health and well-being of Michigan’s residents and environment. Smokey Bear will be joined by his fire officer friends who will bring fire equipment and games to help spread the message of fire prevention and safety.
Laser Shot
Try your hand at the DNR’s Laser Shot activity. Our Law officers will assist visitors in the new Laser Shot trailer.
Climbing Wall
Oakland County Parks will provide information on camping and enjoying the Oakland County Park System. Visitors can attempt the new Climbing Wall!!
LAW
Talk with a Conservation Officer and get the scoop on the new fishing and hunting license package. View some of the tools used by officers to protect Michigan’s wildlife and manage our historical native species.
HCMA
Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority will join the DNR in showing visitors some of Michigan’s native animals, with furs, skulls and educational activities at their booth.
Archery
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources will offer visitors to try archery at our “National Archery in the Schools”/Recreational Archery Range on the Riverfront and In the new Outdoor Adventure Center near Milliken State Park. Ages 8 years and up only!
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Pure Michigan FIT is all about making healthy food choices and staying physically active. Stop by the booth to spin the Fruit and Veggie Facts wheel to learn about Michigan grown fruits and vegetables and their health benefits; and roll the Pure Michigan FITness dice to get your blood pumping for a strong heart and healthy body. Brought to you by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and our Pure Michigan FIT partners.
Visit the River Days website for more information on the 8th Annual GM Rivers Days
Enjoy!
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