City’s party of the year this weekend

By Charles Sercombe
Seems like we say this every year, mostly because indeed we do say this: It’s hard to believe it’s time again this weekend for the annual Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.
That’s how quickly a Michigan summer goes by.
The festival is now celebrating its 45th year since it was first started, way back in 1980.
In those 45 years, there was at least one year that the festival was canceled. That was back when the city was under the control of its first state-appointed emergency manager – so, sometime around 2000 or so.
As usual, this weekend’s festival offers a musical lineup of the area’s leading bands and performers, as well as a variety of food, local craft folks and other vendors, Big Time wrestling, the famed Canoe Race and a carnival midway with rides and games.
Did we mention beer and drinks? Yes, that too, for those who imbibe.
And, as usual, it’s free to attend the festival.
On top of all that, on Monday – Labor Day – the City of Hamtramck struts its stuff in the parade by featuring local organizations, businesses, marching bands and who knows what else. It’s all homegrown, and distinctly Hamtramck.
The highlight of the weekend, not counting the continuous rotation of performers on two stages, is the Canoe Race held on Monday at noon, sharp.
There is a change to the canoe event this year. It is being held at the north end of the festival grounds, past the carnival.
According to organizers, this was done to give both spectators and participants more room.
So, just what is involved with a canoe race that is held on pavement?
Well, there is water involved – and plenty of it — in the form of water balloons and high-powered super soaker “guns.”
But the canoes?
They are homemade and mostly triangle-shaped, each one on wheels, and pushed and manned by folks who have no fear of being badly injured.
Of course, for some of the racers, they seem to come pretty lubed up, beverage-wise, and probably feel no pain. At least until Tuesday.
Did we mention water balloons and water guns? Yes, we did, and the point is to expect getting wet merely by being a bystander, ’cause those water balloons know no boundaries or constraints.
And some folks just take delight in purposely bombing some unexpecting onlooker.
The festival kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 30, starting at noon (-ish) and continuing until 10 p.m.
You can get more information on all of the particulars by going online to the festival’s Facebook page or its website.
At the time we went to press on Thursday, the weather forecast was calling for sunshine and moderate temperatures in the 70s for the weekend.
We’ll be there to do a toast to summer, and you should be too, with whatever is your beverage of choice, and we’ll see you back there next year!
Posted Aug. 29, 2025