As an estimated 1.3 million Michigan drivers get ready to hit the road for Memorial Day, elite Indy car drivers from all over the world are gearing up for next weekend’s annual Detroit Grand Prix (May 29-31, 2026). The 3-day event is a lot of fun for all ages with features including a qualifying heats and a classic sports car race.
PPS: The Detroiter in me is a little sad at the realization that this will be the last Detroit Grand Prix featuring the iconic Renaissance Center towers looking like this!
For months, Canadian officials have maintained that the long-awaited opening of the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ont., is dependent on various testing and commissioning tasks.
But fresh comments from a Canadian cabinet member as well as two top U.S. officials suggests there is a link between the current trade war and the new border crossing’s opening timeline. A White House official on Friday said the Trump administration “continues to engage with all of our trading partners to resolve longstanding unfair trade practices.”
…Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a statement Friday that “[d]iscussions on the Gordie Howe Bridge continue.” CBC News had asked his office similar questions about the bridge’s opening and whether it’s tied to broader trade talks. Earlier this month, Hoekstra reportedly said that Trump himself has to sign off on the opening. “There’s a lot of issues right now between the U.S. and Canada. The bridge is one more,” he told the Detroit News.
Windsor Aerial Drone Photography shared these photos & the video below from the first lighting of the Gordie Howe Bridge on September 18, 2025. Follow them on Facebook for their latest and view & purchase their work at windsoraerialdronephotography.com.
Flower Day is an over 60 year tradition that started in 1967. The annual event is free and open to the public, featuring an astonishing range of plants featuring the Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association & vendors from all over the Midwest (over 150!). The day also includes live music & food against the backdrop of historic Eastern Market. It’s a perfect event for all ages – click for all the details at easternmarket.org.
Historic Detroit shares that Tiger Stadium opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as Fenway Park in Boston — and five days after the RMS Titanic sank. The park was shuttered in 1999 and the team moved from Corktown to the brand new downtown Comerica Park. Last October, Fifth Third Bancorp bought Comerica raising questions regarding the name of the ballpark. A couple days ago Fifth Third released a statement that seemed to imply that the home of the Detroit Tigers will be renamed following the 2026 season.
“Fifth Third is deeply committed to the communities we serve, including Detroit. Comerica Park is a treasured landmark with a rich history, and we understand how much it means to Tigers fans and to the city. At some point the name will change, but not until the offseason. We’ll continue to support the places and partnerships that matter most to our customers and communities.” – Fifth Third Bancorp
I got a whole lot of blowback when I suggested in a sports group that it be renamed “Tiger Stadium”, but I’m still gonna say that is the best name. What would you like to hear it called?
Bob took this picture back in 2008 before the bulldozers came & shared that there’s still baseball being played on the Willie Horton Field of Dreams at the Corner Ballpark. You can see more in his Detroit gallery on Flickr including the shot below of a sold out Comerica Park for the Billy Joel concert in July of 2022.
Editor’s note: I don’t know if I’ve ever had 3 sports posts in a single week or started & ended the week with a photo from the same photographer. Guess it’s just one of those special weeks and one of those special photographers!
Our friend Montez Miller was at the kickoff yesterday in Detroit for the NCAA Fan Jam Mobile tour that will travel to the 83 counties of Michigan through April of 2027 to build awareness and excitement for another huge event for the state of Michigan & our largest city.
I was tempted to feature a photo from Detroit-based photographer & Michpics friend Montez Miller on my Detroit Tigers Opening Day post on Friday, but something told me I needed to hold off. That something turned out to be the Detroit Pistons who clinched their first Eastern Conference title since the 2006-07 season! ESPN shares how a gritty Pistons squad managed to seal the deal by going 7-2 after superstar & team leader Cade Cunningham went down with a scary lung injury.
All-Star center Jalen Duren has taken more of a central offensive role, averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds on 66% shooting since Cunningham went down. Reserve point guard Daniss Jenkins reemerged from a midseason slump to take advantage of increased playing time, with 19.3 points and over seven assists. On Saturday, Jenkins had 14 assists, one short of his career high.
“With Cade here, we were more relaxed, we knew we had more of a superstar to get us to wins,” Pistons swingman Ausar Thompson told ESPN. “But since he’s been gone, we all gathered around and knew we had to be more gritty, missing such a big piece. We had to make up for less offense on the defensive side.”
Here are a few more from Montez so we can get a pic of Cade in. For sure follow Montez Miller and Tell Us Detroit on Facebook for many (many) more along with all kinds of Detroit Tigers & other Motor City magic!
Lots more Detroit Pistons over the years on Michigan in Pictures!
With sunny skies and temps near 70° at 1:10pm when fan favorite Brandon Inge throws out the first pitch, today looks like a fantastic day for Tiger baseball and Opening Day fun!
If you’re not lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out home opener, a highlight will be the Opening Day Block Party that takes over Witherell Street alongside Comerica Park with music, entertainment, and fan activations with appearances from PAWS and Rally Cats.
Other highlights for the day include Downton Detroit’s free Opening Day Tailgate Party in Grand Circus Park next to the ballpark with the food trucks & the game on the big screen, and of course my friends in the Honest 2 God Jug Band playing the opening day party right after the game at historic Cliff’s Bells.
“This proposal is not something the Michigan DNR has been involved in and it’s not something the state is considering,” Tom Bissett, assistant chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, said in a statement. “Since assuming management of Belle Isle in 2014 through a lease with the city, the state has focused on investing in the historic park, recognizing the central role Belle Isle plays in the life of Detroit and its residents,” he said.
The Belle Isle Conservancy, a nonprofit that partners with the state and city to protect the island, was even more forceful in dismissing Lockwood’s redevelopment plans. “Belle Isle is a public park. Period,” said Meagan Elliott, president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy. “The Belle Isle Conservancy has not been consulted at all on this dystopian plan. Our face-to-face community engagement this summer touched 12,000 people, showing that residents endorsed the idea of the Belle Isle Commons and more recreation offerings.”
That seems like good news unless you are fans of turning one of Michigan’s most amazing parks into a mini-Dubai, but it’s positively great news once you dig into all the improvements to the park planned under the Belle Isle Commons., which includes plans to convert the historic Belle Isle police headquarters into a community and volunteer space.
Will took this photo back in 2017 when there were rumors of the station becoming a visitor center. See lots more stunning shots in his Belle Isle gallery on Flickr.
You may have heard about a poll that had a majority of Michiganders approving a concept to create a “special economic zone” on Belle Isle, which is owned by the city of Detroit. The news (rightfully imo) raised an online furor in Detroit where residents wondered why they should care what the rest of the state thought they should do with our beloved island park. Under the proposal, investors would make a one-time $1 billion payment to the city in exchange for a long-term lease, and Detroit would receive an additional $50 million annually.
EDITOR’S NOTE: although the poll claims majority support from Detroiters, every article is wall to wall “do not do this” comments so color me skeptical about anything that comes from this organization.
Belle Isle Freedom City is the organization behind the concept for “a self-governing hub of innovation, economic freedom, and private-led development” with “a great degree of autonomy with regard to taxation and regulation.” So basically, a new suburb? You can read the “speculative fiction” about a plucky group of billionaires who turn a city park into their home below if you want.
The 2026 Marche du Nain Rouge takes place this Sunday, March 22nd in Detroit’s Midtown. This will be the 16th year that the Mardi Gras themed parade & party takes over the Cass Corridor to humorously drive the hated Red Dwarf from the city. The Facebook event for the Marche says (in part):
11:30 a.m.+ Music starts as the crowd gathers at our Community Stage, located at the intersection of Canfield and Second. 1 p.m. Should the legendary Nain Rouge appear, we will show hope prevails in the city that rises from the ashes. Bring your sense of Detroit pride, positivity, and sense of humor. The opening ceremonies conclude with the Nain leading a procession down to the Masonic Temple around 1:30 p.m.; we don’t chase the Nain! You are the parade, so come with a pan on your head or in full regalia. Bring a washboard and jug band (EDITOR: even I daresay an Honest 2 God Jug Band). Wear a costume. Build a human-powered float. Put on a mask, cover your body in biodegradable glitter and sustainably harvested feathers– whatever it takes.
My Marche du Nain Rouge posts from past years have more photos & information about this hilariouslt goofy event including the Nain’s French roots!
