Chairman Matthew P. Cullen kicks off the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announcements with brief introduction of the board members and shares excitement of all the new improvements coming this summer, specifically the new attractions brought to this years GM River Days Festival.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is announcing today the 9th Annual GM River Days Festival present by Soaring Eagle Casino & Restort will be taking place June 19th-21st, 2015. The festival will cover grounds from the William G. Milliken State Park & Harbor to the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Terminal 8 Dock, just west of the Renaissance Center.
General Motors has once again reaffirmed their commitment to the annual GM River Days Festival for their fifth year of involvement. This year, GM has really broken expectations with their new programming including zip line rides, Tuskegee Airmen Museum Airshow, a smooth vibing lineup of national music acts and a special preview fundraising event called “River Nights” to offer a special preview of the festival on Thursday, June 18th from 6-10 p.m.
“We’re excited to add these new enhancements to an already fantastic event,” said Mark Wallace, president & CEO of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. “GM River Days is about celebrating the Detroit riverfront and bringing people together. It’s been a long winter. GM River Days will get us back in the sun.”
Headlining National Music Acts
Sounds will rise above the international riverfront with headlining acts on the DTE Energy National Stage. This year’s festival boasts a jam-packed lineup, including Paul Rodgers, founding member of Bad Company on Friday night and the seven-time Grammy Award winner and Motown legend Gladys Knight on Saturday evening, in addition to R&B singer- songwriter Chanté Moore. Sunday’s main stage will bring rhythm and blues to the waterfront with celebrated R&B performers including Bell Biv Devoe, a trio of members from the 1980s act New Edition, Jagged Edge, Grammy-nominated R&B group and Dave Hollister, R&B vocalist and previous member of Blackstreet. VIP tickets will once again be available to purchase for premier seating during the headlining concerts. Tickets cost $35 and include entrance to the festival. Tickets can be purchased online through RiverDays.com. A full music lineup of more than 40 music acts across 4 different stages will be announced in the coming weeks.
Return of Festival Favorites
The Soaring Eagle Cuisine Machine will once again be the star of the Pepsi Taste of Detroit Food Court. In addition, more than a dozen eateries will present a wide array of dining options throughout the weekend, including Atwater in the Park, Bert’s Market Place, Coach Insignia, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Detroit Marshmallow Company, Eskimo Jack, Detroit Fish and Shrimp, RiverWalk Café, Baja Smoothies and more. “Each year Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort looks forward to showcasing our outstanding cuisine and world-class resort during River Days,” said Raul Venegas, director of marketing & entertainment, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. “This festival gives us the unique opportunity to interact with people across the region while supporting a great organization.” Located on Rivard Plaza, The Flagstar Bank Kids Zone will keep kids laughing and playing all weekend long. Parents just need to pick up a free sticker from the Flagstar Bank booth at the festival. The Kids Zone produced by The Parade Company will feature story time, magic and puppet shows, as well as face and hand painting with the Detroit Institute of Arts and recyclable crafts with Arts & Scraps. Children and families will experience an entertaining lineup on the Meijer Kids Stage. Rivard Plaza will also be the site of a 50-ton sand sculpture presented by Quicken Loans and designed by Team Sandtastic.
As always, festivalgoers can take advantage of great fun on the water with Diamond Jack River Tours, as well as tours of the Appledore IV Tall Ship presented by Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center docked at the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Dock. In addition, festival favorite Typhoon Tommy and his world-class jet ski team will use the Detroit River as their stage to perform big air jumps, flips and underwater dives for the crowds along the riverfront. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will showcase rescue demonstrations and the opportunity to board and tour a Coast Guard cutter throughout the weekend.
This year’s festival is going to packed with exciting activities and entertainment. GM is looking onto you to help continue the success of these community oriented events each year so come stop by and enjoy the festivities.
