Hamtramck’s party of the year is coming up
By Charles Sercombe
By now, most of us know Labor Day weekend belongs to Hamtramck.
For those of you unfamiliar with what we’re talking about: this weekend is when Hamtramckans put on their dancin’ shoes and hit Jos. Campau for the annual Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, which runs this Saturday through Monday, which is Labor day.
During this three-day festival, which is celebrating its 44th year, there will be dozens of bands of all musical genres playing on two stages, and the acts are always – always – free for us to watch and listen to.
Besides that (which, in our book, would be enough) there will be plenty of local ethnic food to enjoy, a number of vendors selling vintage clothing, art and more, as well as a midway with many rides for both kids and adults.
In between it all, there will be Big Time-style wrasslin’ going on (Sunday and Monday at 5 p.m.), a pierogi eating contest and, on Labor Day, Hamtramck’s homegrown Labor Day Parade featuring a whole bunch of locals, groups and dancers, clowns and politicians (oops, don’t mean to be redundant, har-har) and floats and this and that and probably more of this and that.
Hey, just about anything goes, except for certain local politicians who have an aversion to a certain group of people.
(Those who know, will know.)
The parade is Monday at 1:30 p.m., and goes from Holbrook to about Casmere.
Musically, the folks who line up the bands and performers may have outdone themselves, but then again, we say that every year.
What are we talking about?
Well, ever hear of a fellow by the name of Jack White? He’ll be making a stop by to sit in for a few tunes with local faves the Hentchmen on Monday at 8 p.m.
There’s also one Mike Skill, of The Romantics fame, jamming with a few buddies on Sunday at 8 p.m.
Also on Sunday, Canadian indie rockers Sloan hit the stage at 9 p.m.
As tradition has it, Sunday afternoon is a Hamtramck homecoming of sorts, featuring Danny D at 4:30 p.m. followed by Hamtramck’s favorite party band, The Polish Muslims, at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, a number of well-known rappers take over.
We could go on and on, but take a look at the stage schedule for the weekend below.
Oh, and we can’t forget what’s become not only a tradition, but something people come from far and wide from the four corners of the metro area, and even beyond, to witness.
Yes, we’re talking about the wet and rowdy canoe race on Monday, at high noon right before the parade begins.
If you come, prepare to get wet (whether you want to or not). Heck, bring a bar of soap if you’ve been putting off that shower, ‘cause this will be a soaking.
Feel free to bring water balloons to lob, pitch and throw, as well as super soaker water guns.
Yes, Hamtramck is an open-carry water gun city that requires no license or background check, although a few of them folks probably could use a background check or two.
Did we mention that you will get wet whether you want to or not? We stress this because, like it or not, someone will squirt you and throw a water balloon at you.
So if you’re a spoil sport, stay away.
Okay, so what’s up with a canoe race?
That’s something only the uninitiated would ask, and the answer is simple.
These aren’t really canoes, and it’s doubtful that any of them could ever float. Instead, they are usually (but not limited to being) wedged-shaped carts on wheels and have a rider situated in them, or somewhere on them, and someone (or ones) pushing the carts as fast and furiously as they can (while being pelted with water balloons and other water-emitting devices).
Why do you think they call Michigan a “water wonderland”?
There’s a relay race involved, and then there is a winner declared by … whatever rules there are, and then it’s followed by many beers.
In fact, there are a number of people who simultaneously chug beers and canoe and … you get the picture: beer.
After the canoe race and parade, you’ll probably get a bit hungry. Good, because you can join a bunch of other hungry folks in a pierogi eating contest, held near the Caniff stage.
You could say Hamtramck really labors at being festive throughout Labor Day weekend.
Why, you ask?
Because this weekend usually signals the quick departure of summer temps, and that’s something we Michiganders relish for the short three or four months out of the year.
Posted Aug. 30, 2024
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival music schedule
Saturday, North Stage
1:30 PM Prude Boys
2:30 PM ZEM
3:30 PM Zilched
4:30 PM Sugar Tradition
5:30 PM Eck!
6:30 PM Tin Foil
7:30 PM Be Your Own Pet
8:30 PM Esham
Saturday, South Stage
1:00 PM Kaci the Model
2:00 PM KidJay
3:00 PM B Free
4:00 PM Co Ownaz
5:00 PM JP from the HP
6:00 PM P Dot
7:00 PM Bruiser Wolf
8:00 PM GMac Cash
9:00 PM Sada Baby
Sunday, North Stage
1:00 PM Brown Thrasher
2:00 PM Liquid Images
3:00 PM Yeji Boys
4:00 PM Extra Arms
5:00 PM Infinite River
6:00 PM Wiccans
7:00 PM Matthew Smith Band
8:00 PM Mike Skill of the Romantics
Sunday, South Stage
1:00 PM Carjack
2:00 PM The Strains
3:00 PM Gashounds
4:30 PM Danny D
6:30 PM The Polish Muslims
9:00 PM Sloan
Monday, North Stage
12:30 PM Post Imperial Jazz Band
1:30 PM Michael Hurtt
2:30 PM Bad Faces
3:30 PM Mango Star
4:30 PM Double Winter
5:30 PM Loose Koozies
6:30 PM Liquor Store
7:30 PM X _ X
8:30 PM Amino Acids
Monday, South Stage
2:00 PM Caveman, Bam Bam & Alroy
3:00 PM Duende
4:00 PM Menage Detroit
5:00 PM Mod Lang
6:00 pm Slizz
7:00 PM Dusty Rose Band
8:00 PM The Hentchmen with
Special Guest Jack White
Posted Aug. 30, 2024
