detroit

NCAA Final Four coming to Detroit in 2026

Posted on April 10, 2026April 10, 2026 by farlane

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!

NCAA Fan Jam Mobile by Montez Miller

Although the NCAA National Basketball Champions haven’t even held their parade yet (Saturday, April 11 @ 10am in Ann Arbor), the NCAA is already beginning promotions for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit that takes place April 3 & 5 at Ford Field (click for tickets & details).

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.

Here are some more photos from the Detroit event below, and I snuck in a gorgeous shot of the new Hudson’s in downtown Detroit that she shared last night! Follow her on Facebook for the latest!

Detroit Pistons are the 2026 Eastern Conference Champions!!

Posted on April 6, 2026 by farlane

Daniss Jenkins by Montez Miller & Tell Us Detroit

Daniss Jenkins stepping up by Montez Miller & Tell Us Detroit

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!

2026 Pistons FACTS via the Detroit Pistons

Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2026

Posted on April 3, 2026 by farlane

Detroit Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park

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.

Let’s go Tigers!!

Belle Isle Freedom City is basically Belle Isle for Billionaires

Posted on March 30, 2026March 30, 2026 by farlane

Belle Isle by charles hildebrandt

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.

Currently, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages Belle Isle State Park on a 40 year lease, and the park is home to an amazing variety of destinations including the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle Aquarium, the currently being renovated James Scott Fountain, and lots more amazing sights & spaces!

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.

Charles took the photo of the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon back in June of 2023. You can (and should) dive into his Belle Isle photos on Flickr for all kinds of reasons why this park should stay a park.

Grab your Crewe for the March du Nain Rouge

Posted on March 16, 2026 by farlane

Nain Crewe by Marche du Nain Rouge

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!

Let the sun shine brightly in March

Posted on March 13, 2026 by farlane

Let me first wish a very happy 313 Day to the city of Detroit & all who love it! There is no city that I would rather be from, and none that I’d rather live in. Then let me also say that I think it’s kind of hilarious that I was looking for the perfect photo to celebrate the city and already had it queued up for a post!

Let the sun shine bright on the city by Scott Laidlaw

USA Today shares that the dramatic increase in daylight in March is part of a fascinating and unbalanced yearly cycle:

While sunrise and sunset times are constantly on the move, sunlight rapidly increases in March (and rapidly decreases in September). During the month of March, some parts of the United States will add over an hour-and-a-half of sun by the end of the month.

…The increase in daylight, or the amount of time the sun spends above the horizon, will be most obvious in the northernmost parts of the U.S., which will face the sun more directly as the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun on Earth’s axis at a 23.5-degree angle, according to Brandon Buckingham, a meteorologist at AccuWeather.

FYI, Michigan will pick up between 80 and 100 minutes of daylight this month.

Scott took this back in 2020 and he notes how 3-D it looks. You can see more in his massive Detroit gallery & for sure follow him on Flickr for the latest!

The mural was the 100th painted by Detroit artist Waleed Johnson which is pretty amazing when you consider how much work it is to paint a mural!

Countdown to Canada: Gordie Howe Bridge opening soon?

Posted on March 12, 2026 by farlane

First Lighting of Gordie Howe Bridge by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

Yesterday the Gordie Howe International Bridge raised hopes that an opening is imminent when they shared the initial toll rates. Passenger vehicles will pay a standard flat toll rate of $8 CAD/$5.75 USD per crossing while commercial trucks, oversized vehicles, and larger passenger vehicles pay a standard per axle toll rate of $12 CAD/$8.75 USD. They also offer a Breakaway discount program.

While there are a number of unknowns that could impact opening, one thing to note is the date of Gordie Howe’s birthday: March 31st – 3/31 to the 313?

Michael took these photos and the awesome video below when they first lit the entire bridge on September 18, 2025. He wrote (in part) “For those fortunate enough to be in the area, the Gordie Howe International Bridge started testing their led lighting system and entire span of the Gordie Howe International Bridge was illuminated just in time for sunset. The testing actually began in late afternoon and by dusk the full spectacle of this magnificent structure could be seen for miles across Windsor and Detroit area.”

Fortunate indeed!! Check out a few more photos he shared to the Michigan in Pictures group and the video below. You can also view & purchase his work at Windsor Aerial Drone Photography.

Fire & Ice, Real & Fake

Posted on February 24, 2026 by farlane

Fire and Ice by Snapped by Sean Photography

Fire and Ice by Snappd by Sean Photography

Snappd by Sean Photography is one of my favorite follows on Facebook because in addition to great shots like this, he also maintains a lively back and forth with his fans. If you have become as exhausted as I am by the stream of AI fakes & stolen photographs that has taken over social media, let me suggest that you follow him and some of the other real live photographers on my Michigan Photographers page. In addition to taking views (and money) away from pixel grifters, you will be supporting the fine men & women who are out there taking the actual photographs that are being ripped off!

Sean is a Detroit-based photographer, birdwatcher & UAV drone pilot. He took this last month from Belle Isle in the Detroit River. You can see what he’s up to today on Facebook and follow him on Instagram as well!

JFK & Detroit’s Black Leaders

Posted on February 17, 2026 by farlane

JFK in Detroit, Sept 4, 1960 by Bob

Since it’s both President’s Day & Black History Month, here’s some of both courtesy Michigan Advance who shared that in addition to President John F. Kennedy’s very public appearance in Detroit’s Labor Day parade in 1960, a little known meeting in June of 1960 with a group of Detroit’s Black leaders may have been what boosted him to victory over Nixon:

Some Detroiters point to a little known June 1960 private meeting that pushed Kennedy over the top with the growing African American demographic in Michigan and throughout the Midwest.

A group of Detroit Black Democratic leaders that included UAW official Horace Sheffield Jr., business owner Forrest Green, longtime Democratic stalwart Joseph Coles and Detroit Common Council member William Patrick Jr. met with Kennedy at his home. The event was set up by Williams, Michigan’s popular governor.

Kennedy flew to the party on a private plane, according to Saul Green, Forrest’s son and future U.S. attorney for Michigan’s Eastern District. “[Kennedy] had an opportunity to gather these respected Black thought leaders to help make his case [for the presidency],” recalled Green, who was a 12-year-old Tappan Junior High student at the time.

There, they urged the Massachusetts U.S senator to adopt a stronger civil rights platform.The Rev. Horace Sheffield III said his father made the case “What are you going to do for Black folks?” said Sheffield III about the question that his father likely had for Kennedy.

Head over to the Michigan Advance for more including a great photo.

Bob says that he was there that Labor Day. See more in his Detroit gallery & follow him on Flickr for his latest.

Cloudy future for the Gordie Howe International Bridge?

Posted on February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 by farlane

Bridge in the Clouds by Scattered1

The Detroit News shares that President Trump has threatened to block the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor from opening until Canada treats the United States with what he described as “fairness and respect.”

Apparently, the fact that Canada has paid for 100% of the construction project isn’t fair enough. IMO, it is deeply embarrassing to become a nation whose word can’t be trusted. Your mileage may vary, but please remember that’s not my or anyone elses problem.

Scattered1 took this photo back in December when the clouds were so low that they couldn’t see the top of the bridge’s 722-foot towers. See more in their massive Michigan gallery on Flickr.

Here’s a shot of a cross border handshake from 2024 to help us remember that the United States has no ally as true and vital as Canada. ♥️ 🇨🇦 🤍

Lots more Gordie Howe Bridge on Michigan in Pictures!

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