Here It Comes, Hamtramck’s Annual Party
By Charles Sercombe
Get ready to have some fun this weekend.
The 29th Hamtramck Labor Day Festival is partying down on Jos. Campau from Caniff to Carpenter. The weekend will feature carnival rides and games, ethnic food, vendors and live music.
For Detroit area rock and rollers, the festival is a showcase of some of the best bands. Highlights of the weekend include rockabilly legend Jack Scott on Saturday at 9 p.m. and the RA RA Riot from New York on Sunday at 9 p.m.
Local faves, Danny D and The Polish Muslims will also play. Danny D is doing his Rod Steward tribute show on Sunday, 3 p.m. at the north stage. The Polish Muslims play on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Sunday also features a Bangladeshi music group at 4:15 p.m. and Bosnian pop singer, Hilmija Hot at 6:15 p.m. And continuing with the world music theme, the Odu Afrobeat Orchestra plays at 7 p.m. That lineup will be at the north stage.
On Monday, it’s time for Polish-Americans to celebrate their ethnic heritage with the annual Polish Day Parade, starting at 1 p.m. The parade begins at Holbrook and Jos. Campau and ends at Casmere.
Polka lovers will also have their turn on the dance floor on Monday at the south stage starting at 3 p.m. On Sunday at 11 a.m., a Polka Mass will be held on the south stage, featuring accordion great, “Big Daddy Lakowski.”
Like pierogi?
If so, you might want to consider entering a pierogi eating contest also on Sunday at 1 p.m.
For families and kids, the festival has a deal that’s hard to say no to. For $20, you can get a one-day pass to climb on board the rides all you want.
As for the weather, according to reports on Thursday, the day we went to press, it looks like sunshine all weekend long and temperatures near the 80s.
Another boost for this year’s festival is a sponsorship with WXYZ Channel 7. The television station has been promoting the festival heavily, and news personalities will be at the festival over the weekend.
The television promotion is bound to attract new visitors.
Sounds like a perfect weekend is shaping up.
