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Saturday, 5 July, 2008 10:30 PM
Enjoy the 4th of July Weekend
at the Comerica Cityfest in Detroit's New Center
Photo
courtesy of www.newcenter.com
Ultra
teen pop stars of music and television, sisters Aly & AJ bring
their sassy, radio-friendly dance-pop to the Cityfest stage. Fresh
off the Hannah Montana tour, they are recording their third album
where they will expose a more rocking side to their fans.
The
Independence Day weekend doesn't just belong to Big Willie Smith
with his new movie Hancock. It is also belongs to downtown
Detroit, as people come down to celebrate the 20th anniversary of
the Comerica CityFest, which began late Wednesday morning at 11
a.m. and ends Sunday evening at 8 p.m. The admission is free; food
and drinks can be purchase as tickets -- starting at 16 with $10,
32 for $20, and 64 for $40.
Unlike last
year, Wednesday wasn't raining (not until late evening), tents weren't
knocked over and the event went right on schedule. The Cityfest
has grown, as vendors increased between 10-15 percent, and the audience
could be estimated between 20,000-30,000 people each day.
As one of the biggest events in Michigan, the Cityfest is an opportunity
for everyone to try all types of food, drinks, and desserts as well
as listening to live music from jazz bands and the Kuungana African
Drum and Dance, who performs at the event every year. Pop sisters
Aly and AJ headline the festival on Saturday at 2 p.m. on the MotorCity
Casino Stage.
A term means "to be connected" with people, God, and the
Holy Spirit, Kuungana is a non-profit company that gives children
ages 2-19 a safe environment, the chance to learn about West African
culture -- "culture of our people", said CEO Baba Collins,
who was one of the performers there the other day.
Last year, Kuungana performed on the streets -- using rugs/carpets
for their dancing. Now, the kids are in the middle of the Cityfest
-- on the grass. They, according to Anne Odom, weren't hot; their
feet wasn't sweating. The kids are dancing in the shades -- comfortably
cool. But Baba wasn't complaining. "Wherever God has us to
go", he stated, "that's where we go."
Passing out free complimentary samples of Mint Mocha Chip Frappucino,
being at the CityFest is an "tradition" for Starbucks
Coffee. Taste fest, food fest, art fest, culture fest -- all rolled
into one, stated employee Alison Cave. Add Starbucks into the mix,
she continued, you have fine food and fine coffee.
Since 1988, the Comerica Cityfest didn't have as many Detroiters
-- and there were no children. Now, twenty years later, there's
more restaurants, boutiques, people, and so on. What was once an
event for adults has become an family affair. For instance, kids
can go rock climbing for $3, shoot for hoops from the Pistons/Shock
Year-Round Basement Experts Truck Tour and win prizes; one shot
is $1, and three is $2, and two shots equals winning a Pistons or
Shock bandana.
With the Hockeytown parade, the River Days festival, the fireworks,
the spirit of Detroit continues with the Comerica Cityfest. Despite
the recession in the economy and rise in gas prices, the people
are willing to come to this event -- because everyone around there
is and always will be an survivor.
Comerica
Cityfest Map
Map
courtesy of www.newcenter.com
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