Detroit 3 Days in the D Festival

Detroit is the place to be for Labor Day weekend this year (in Michigan anyway) with the 3 Days in the D festival being held from the Detroit River to Pontiac. The festival promises to offer non-stop jazz, great food, car racing and more. The three big events will be the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix; the Detroit International Jazz Festival and Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats. In addition to the big three, the Michigan State Fair and the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly (hehe!) will be held that weekend.

The city is bribing participants in to attending multiple events by offering “passport-like cards” for multiple event entry. More like the wristband you get in bar districts to get in to more than one place than a passport, I should think. The “passport” part comes in with a give away for visitors who get their card stamped at two or more events. Those participants will be eligible to win a trip to the Caribbean or Mexico.

Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix: The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix “represents the return of world-class auto racing to the Motor City for the first time in six years.” I, frankly could care less about racing, but some people seem to like it. The event will take place at the Belle Isle course from August 31 to September 2 and “features the exotic sports cars of the American Le Mans Series along with the high-powered open wheel machines of the IndyCar Series competing on the same action-packed Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 1, fans will witness the first-ever American Le Mans Series race in the State of Michigan with the Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch. The IndyCars take center stage on Sunday, Sept. 2 in the Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone.”

Detroit International Jazz Festival: This year’s Detroit International Jazz Festival features “The Rumble in the Great Lakes,” a challenge between artists from Detroit and Chicago. I like a good music festival. And a challenge… The festival begins Friday with A Blowin’ Session, featuring Regina Carter from Detroit and Herbie Hancock, Chicago’s Grammy-award winning jazz pianist and composer. The festival offers free open-air concerts on six stages from
Campus Martius Park to Hart Plaza and 100 acts such as Patti Austin, The Miracles and Dave Brubeck. While there, you can check out the Here and Now Stage, artist residency, emerging artist stage, gospel Monday, and a jazz and art gallery tent featuring the Arts League of Michigan exhibit Rock My Soul.

Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats: The 10th Annual Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats is Oakland County’s Taste, Music & Arts Festival and will be held from August 31 to September 3 in Pontiac. This event features 10 stages with 175 bands and performing artists, 10 FunJet Vacation giveaways, 175 fine art exhibitors from across the United States and more than 50 of metro Detroit’s best restaurants and caterers. Yummy. There will be a Kids’ Stage, Sportapalooza, International Block
Party and ride and drive featuring new cars from Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Six acres of interactive family activities will include an entertainment stage, talent competition and a carnival with 13 rides and attractions. So this is the more family scene of the events.

For more details, go to www.visitdetroit.com