If you’re in or around metro Detroit this weekend, you don’t need to ponder what to do or where to go. The answer is simple. Head to Ferndale’s Third annual DIY Festival. It’s bigger, better and they’ve thought of something for everyone.
The event runs Friday evening through Sunday. Let’s start with the heart of the Do-It-Yourself attitude. The DIY Marketplace lists more than 100 vendors, many of them representing handmade original crafts. You’ll find everything like beautiful pampering spa products by Berkley-based Uprising to jaw-dropping original dresses and designs by Ferndale’s own Femilia . Check out handmade jewelry by Clawson’s own Lilac Pop and uber cool toys from Royal Oak’s Lift. You can spend the entire day wandering among the booths. Trust me, I’ve done it. It’s a great place to shop for gifts (or yourself!).
And bring the kids. From noon to 6 p.m. DIY’s Kids Zone near the Ferndale Library is open for business, with a rock climbing wall, dunk tank, face painting booth, arts and scraps, make-and-take art and tech projects with i3Detroit and the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music’s own Music Experience, a chance to rock out on stage. Oakland County Parks and Rec presents Puppet Shows at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and The Rock School will present performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
When it comes to music, the scene is set some amazing entertainment. Three stages welcome a host of bands from Friday to Sunday night. Don’t miss the Detroit sounds of Augie & Korin (of Hard Lessons fame) on Friday, followed by the poptastic Outrageous Cherry and legendary Goober & The Peas at 10 p.m.
On Saturday stop by the Metro Times Stage early for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. at 4:45 p.m. and come back for Millions of Brazillians at 9:15 p.m. and the disco metal of Electric Six at 10 p.m. And check out Lettercamp at the The Loving Touch Stage.
On Sunday, don’t miss American Mars, Mood Elevator, The Volebeats, The Sights and the Silent Years – basically plan on camping out at the Metro Times Stage Sunday evening for some fantastic music. You won’t be disappointed. Then head over to The Loving Touch for Dan John Miller, The Blueflowers, The Cold Wave and Old Empire. Who needs sleep anyway?
Did somebody say refreshments? DIY’s got em. You can’t host a festival this close to Woodward Avenue Brewers and not think beer. But the taps will be flowing with the largest outdoor beer garden in the city yet. Organizers have secured 15 Michigan-based breweries – including Atwater, Arcadia, Founder’s, Shorts, Kuhnhenn, Liberty Street and many more. Toast to the end of summer. Then fill up on some local eats provided by Howe’s Bayou, The Fly Trap, The Emory, Club Bart, the Wab and more.
Hope to see you at DIY this weekend. With so much to choose from… we’ll probably wander over there daily. Stop and say hello!
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments and theUrbane Lobby. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @UrbaneLife.
This article brought to you by the good folks at Urbane Apartments Royal Oak Michigan, Urbane Apartments Ferndale Michigan,Urbane Apartments Birmingham Michigan, and Urbane Apartments Dearborn Michigan
