Toast of the Town … Hamtramck delivers one last summery blast of fun

By Charles Sercombe
Once again, Hamtramck served up a whole bunch of events all in one day.
It makes you wonder: can’t we spread this out a bit? Why all in one day?
Well, no one is actually complaining, and Saturday was a gloriously sunny, summery, sunshiny day for people to walk around town.
And did they ever.
We can’t remember the last time we saw so many out-of-towners jamming the streets.
So, what were the attractions?
First up was a “Fall Festival” in Pulaski Park sponsored by the Hamtramck Drug-Free Coalition.
As usual, Hamtramck kids are hungry for things to do, and any celebration – especially one that offers a petting zoo, free pony and miniature train rides, inflatables, and, in keeping with fall, pumpkins.
After that, it was off for a tour of the city’s streets for the annual Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival.
For those who have never attended one, it’s a homegrown event spread throughout town in the yards, houses and studio spaces of local musicians and artists.
Local music faves, Woodman and Bam Bam, outfitted in their signature caveman clothing, pounded out tunes on the front lawn of Frank Woodman’s house near Café 1923.
If that festival would have been the only thing happening, it would have been enough – at least for this getting-up-there-in-age reporter.

But the day had just begun.
In the late afternoon, Discover Hamtramck hosted its last “Night Bazaar” in Pope Park for the year, which featured over a dozen local craft makers.
The air was festive, and the park was jammed with folks browsing and schmoozing. Pope Park never looked so good, and even had a touch of Europe.
Lastly, Toast stopped in to say hello to the good folks at the Hamtramck Historical Museum, which was hosting a fundraiser with the theme of a Roaring 1920s party complete with a limited amount of booze, “horse” racing and a fashion show.
Hamtramck looked quite dapper indeed.
In fact, Hamtramck looked so good we wished we could have bottled it, and then opened it back up on a grey February winter day.
Brrrr.
When it comes to good food and great times, Hamtramck has plenty to offer. In this column, we’ll talk about what’s happening at our bars, restaurants and at other events throughout the city.
Posted Oct. 10, 2025