The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Hot Rods!
Street Rods marks start of summer events
By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
You know summer is coming when you hear the roar of car engines echoing through the streets of Depot Town.
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And there was plenty of rumbling Sunday as people gathered for the Ypsilanti Area Street Rods 29th year of "Show and Shine."
Hundreds of people came through Riverside Park Sunday afternoon and made the suggested donation of $2 to the Ypsi Area Street Rods.
The YASR is a non-profit organization founded in 1974, originally formed to benefit one child with Muscular Dystrophy. Since then, the YASR has played host to several charitable events and causes.
Car aficionados from across the state and beyond gathered to tell stories and trade wisdom Sunday. But for the most part, they showed their shiny cars.
Old Cadillacs and Chevrolets were parked near Pontiac GTO's and Ford Mustangs. Everywhere you turned there was a shiny car waiting to greet you.
WHAT'S COMING UP
Ypsilanti Pride Day
May 17
It's time for some spring cleaning. So get outside May 17 and spruce up Ypsilanti.
Ypsilanti PRIDE, organized by the Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce, is a chance for you to help clean up the community. Registered volunteers will be sweeping sidewalks, picking up trash, cleaning the parks and planting flowers.
To learn more about how you could help visit the Chamber of Commerce at www.ypsichamber.org and click on calendar.
Memorial Day Processional
May 26
Remember America's fallen with a parade sponsored by the Ypsilanti VFW.
The processional begins at 9am, and will travel from Huron Street to Cross Street, with a stop at cross for a wreath ceremony. It will then proceed up North river Street to Highland Cemetery. For additional information, call the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 734-483-4444.
The Orphan Car Show
June 1, 2008
9:00am - 3:30pm
So what is an orphan car anyway?
An orphan vehicle is a make (not model - except for the Chevrolet Corvair) of a domestic car, truck or motorcycle that has not been produced for at least seven model years.
The show features a "pass-in-review' session with a panel of several automotive historians describing each vehicle as it passes.
Ypsilanti Crossroads Music Festival
June 6 - September 12
Live music every Friday night continues this summer with the Crossroads Music Festival. Come see artists such as George Bedard and the Kingpins, Sway, Lady Sunshine and the X Band, Sean Ike and Jo Serrapere, while you eat or do your shopping. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. on the corner of Washington Street and Michigan Avenue.
The Central Business Community is sponsoring this event. For more information please call 734-485-4120.
Tuesday Night Motorcycle Mania
June 3 - September 30
Located Outside Aubree's Saloon on Cross Street
Frog Island Music Series
June 4 - July 9
Here is your opportunity to see the Ypsilanti Community Band & Symphony plus much more for free. Different bands will perform every week such as jazz, orchestra, top 40, and smooth jazz every Wednesday, starting at 7p.m.
Contact Eric Dotzauer CDC Director - 734-604-8569
Depot Town Cruise Nights
June 5 - September 18
Every Thursday night, barring rain, from June 5 through September 18 visit Historic Depot Town and explore Ypsilanti's unique collection of classic, gloriously restored automobiles.
For additional information, call the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection at 734-482-5200.
The Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Festival
June 8
It's a bird, it's a plain, it's Herbie. No, it's the Volkswagen festival. Where you are guaranteed to see at least one Herbie car scattered amongst its fellow Bugs and Volkswagen Vans. This is the fifth year the Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Club has held festival, now in its 21st year, in Riverside Park.
For more information, call the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, call 734-483-4444.
Independence Day Parade
July 4
The Ypsilanti Fourth of July Parade is one of Michigan's oldest and most prestigious celebrations of our nation's Independence. This family-friendly event showcases our community, the state of Michigan, and the patriotic pride of America.
The Parade begins at 11:00 a.m., starting at Wallace and going down Cross Street to end in Depot Town at Rice Street.
Camaro Superfest 2008
July 5-6
Only in Ypsilanti will you find the longest running, all Camaro event in the county. Camaro Superfest tacks on another year at Riverside Park this year with a two-day display of, you guessed it, Cameros.
The theme for 2008 Camaro Superfest is a tribute to Camaro race cars. If you have a Camaro racer, bring it to Camaro Superfest, show it off and maybe win an award. For further information, call Barry Hensel at 734-397-5182 (5pm-10pm only) or Randy Martin at 734-368-8726 or send email to barry76Lt@wowway.com or bicycledoctor@sbcglobal.net
The Michigan Elvisfest
July 11 & 12
For two days in July Depot Town is flooded with Elvis. Elvis records, Elvis movies, Elvis plates, Elvis blankets, Elvis television trays and let's not forget all those Elvis impersonators. It's Elvisfest, where you can celebrate being a geek about Elvis and nobody minds. So if you get all shook up about Elvis, strap on those blue suede shoes or big boots and shake rattle and roll down by the riverside for Elvisfest.
The Corner Brewery is playing host to The Shadow Art Fair, where you can find great art and other items made by local artists. Local music, featured brews, and other special activities add a distinct flavor and sense of community to this creative showcase.
Summer Beer Festival
July 25-26
So what could be better than two days of Camaros and two days of Elvis? Two days of beer. Each summer, the Michigan Brewers Guild hosts a Summer Beer Festival at Riverside Park. Thousands of people converge on the park to sample over one hundred beers prepared by breweries throughout the state. Brewery personnel will be on hand to talk with guests, and educate connoisseurs about the art of beer making. Live music and delicious food are also available.
Riverside Park, Depot Town, Frog Island and Downtown Ypsilanti
The Ypsilanti Heritage Festival draws families from southeastern Michigan and the greater Detroit Metropolitan area to experience the fun and excitement of this family friendly, three-day event.
From historic tours and Civil War Encampment, arts and crafts, stage entertainment, Children's Village and the popular Rubber Duck Race, the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival truly has something for everyone.
For further details and a schedule of events, call the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau at (734) 483-4444.
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