Detroit’s Belle Isle Park shares that the infamous Giant Slide – which briefly opened last August before quickly closing after riders were going way too fast – will reopen for the summer this Friday (July 19) from 11-6pm. Regular hours through Labor Day will be Friday 12:30 -5:30pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10:30-3:30pm. It only costs $1 per ride so I’m expecting plenty of pics from all of you!!
Now here’s a look courtesy GmacCash at what’s in store for you on the Giant Slide!
In July of 2023 the State of Michigan joined the wide majority of US states in declaring Juneteenth National Independence Day an official state holiday. The Michigan Advance writes:
Juneteenth recognizes the date, June 19, 1865, that Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and read General Order No. 3, stating that all enslaved people were free, and that former masters and enslaved people were absolutely equal in personal and property rights.
Its importance has long been celebrated in the African-American community as the country’s second Independence Day, marking the last place in the former Confederacy that experienced emancipation. Although as the National Museum of African American History and Culture has noted, it was only through passage of the Thirteenth Amendment that slavery was truly abolished throughout the United States.
I selected this photo to share because for a long time, I believed as many others did that slavery ended at the end of the Underground Railroad or with the end of the Civil War. It certainly didn’t end there, and many of the structures remain firmly entrenched to this day. If you’re angry about this celebration, I encourage you to read this excellent piece in The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the historical legacy of Juneteenth.
On Saturday, June 15 2024 the US & Canadian crews working on the Gordie Howe International Bridge from Windsor, Canada to Detroit joined the two sides. They share: 🌲Ironworkers on the #GordieHoweBridge project celebrate with a special ceremony dating back more than 1,000 years. Topping Out* symbolizes a connection and the evergreen tree indicates a job well done. It’s a cherished custom that Ironworkers say brings “good luck”.
Good luck to all this hardworking crew as they approach the finish line for this massive multi-year effort! Follow along on Instagram @gordiehowebrg.
I don’t know what else I have to say on the matter except that it’s good to see Detroit restore another piece of Michigan’s heritage & hope that you have a chance to see the renovations live in person or on TV tomorrow! From their release:
The sold-out, ticketed 90-minute outdoor concert will bring to life the spirit and soul of Detroit through an incredible lineup of musical performances, short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region. The star-studded program features iconic musicians and cultural legends, including Michigan natives Diana Ross, Big Sean, Illa J, Jack White, Kierra Sheard, Theo Parrish, Slum Village, the Clark Sisters, Sky Jetta and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They will be joined by presenters including Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders and stars Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. These Detroit entertainment stars will be joined by other performers, including Common, Fantasia, Melissa Etheridge and Jelly Roll, along with presenters Mike Epps and Sophia Bush.
Chris took this photo at Michigan Central way back in 2009. See more in his Abandoned Detroit album.
The Detroit Grand Prix takes place May 31-June 2 in downtown Detroit where it began in 1982:
Again in 2024, the Grand Prix will provide unprecedented access with more than half of the event’s footprint along Jefferson Avenue and the beautiful Detroit Riverfront open to the public, free of charge. Grand Prix visitors will be able to enjoy complimentary access to the main fan activation areas at the event, including Spirit Plaza, Hart Plaza as well as the Riverwalk. Fans will be welcomed in these key areas that will feature live music, food, games and displays all weekend long, without the purchase of a Grand Prix ticket.
During a presentation to the Detroit City Council to secure permits, Michigan Central CEO Josh Sirefman detailed the “Open Live” concert slated for June 6, which will be streamed globally from the Roosevelt Park location just north of the iconic train station. The free event will welcome 15,000 attendees with pre-registration required, offering a 90-minute concert headlined by yet-to-be-announced entertainment.
…From June 7-16, Michigan Central will host an open house to welcome up to 60,000 visitors, offering a glimpse into the meticulously restored 1913 structure. Additional tours will be available every Friday and Saturday through August 31 with pre-registration. These events aim to celebrate the building’s restoration and showcase its transformation. Michigan Central is coordinating with city officials, including the mayor’s office, police and fire departments, and a private security consulting firm to ensure a safe experience, drawing on insights from Detroit’s recent hosting of the NFL Draft.
I’m still recovering from the MASSIVE event that was the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit which hosted over 3/4 of a million people. There will be more posts, but I thought this post that Jamon Jordan of Black Scroll Network History & Tours shared on Facebook gives some great perspective on some of the massive events the Motor City has hosted over the years:
I’m sure everyone is aware that the crowds at the NFL Draft in Detroit are so large that no one else is being allowed into the 3 entry points. About 275,000 people are right here at, in or near Campus Martius, and Cadillac Square plus another 100,000 people in other venues downtown – Greektown, Hart Plaza, Grand Circus Park.
But Detroit has hosted large crowds before. Take a look at some of the large crowds – 100,000 or above – in Detroit’s history:
June 23, 1963 – Detroit Walk to Freedom – 125,000-250,000 people marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Rev. CL Franklin and heard Dr. King’s “Dream” 2 months before Washington DC.
August 19 – September 5, 1966 – Michigan State Fair – 1.2 Million people (our record attendance) The Temptations was one of the acts performing that year on Woodward between 7 & 8 Mile.
June 6, 1997 – Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Victory Parade – 1.4 Million people came down to celebrate with the Wings. And they threw an octopus on the streets too.
July 21, 2001 – 300th Birthday of Detroit/Free Stevie Wonder concert – 500,000-1 Million people listened to Stevie Wonder at Hart Plaza and watched the fireworks.
May 24-27, 2002 – Detroit Electronic Music Festival – 1.7 Million people. The Techno Festival surpassed a million people each of it’s 1st 3 years – 2000, 2001 & 2002 (2002 DEMF is pictured).
EDITOR’S NOTE: I know I just shared a pic of this bridge, but on my post about the Gordie Howe Bridge last week there was such a depressing eruption of ignorant & nativist nonsense that I remembered why I decided to put Michigan in Pictures to bed a while back. I need to be super clear: I am a progressive. I believe all people have a right to good food, clean water, and a warm place to live. I also believe that the United States is far better when we open up to the world. It’s fine if you don’t believe in that, but if you disbelieve in a disrespectful fashion or in any way attack decent folks, I’ll block you so fast you won’t believe it. OK now on to the post:
The Gordie Howe Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan is expected to be completed in time for a September 2025 opening. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority shared an update earlier this year that says (in part):
Having delivered the busiest year of construction to date, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team is able to confirm a new completion and opening timeline. Construction completion is planned for September 2025 with the first vehicles expected to travel across the bridge that fall.
Originally, the $5.7 billion (CDN) project was scheduled for completion in November 2024 with opening anticipated by the end of that year. However, the project, like many others, experienced unprecedented disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The disruptions were even more prevalent for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project given the differing applicable restrictions in the US and Canada, combined with the ramping up of construction activities in early 2020.
…Recognizing that an extended construction period impacts the project host communities, WDBA has budgeted for a one-year extension of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. With $3 million (CDN) to be divided equally between Canada and the US and expended over the 2025-2026 fiscal year, residents and business owners in Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit will see positive outcomes from further regional investments. Additional details on the approach to allocating this funding will be shared later in 2024.
In nearly 30 years of doing Michigan in Pictures, I’ve had a lot of firsts, but this is the first time I’ve shared a photo from the VP of Travel Michigan aka Pure Michigan! Dave has been an absolute champion for Michigan over the years. He was at the Detroit Tigers home opener that they won 5-4 and writes:
It was sunny. It was cloudy. It was windy. It was cold. It actually…snowed. The Tiger’s won their ’24 opening home game. A perfect day.
Michigan in Pictures 