Community Corner
Get Doggie Kisses and More at the Farmington Founders Festival
The festival, which stretches on Grand River from Grove Street to Farmington Road, is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Are you ready for the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival? Here's a round-up of information that will help you navigate the popular two-day event:
Weather
The National Weather Service predicts a 50 percent chance of showers Friday, with a slight chance on Saturday as well. Expect highs Friday in the mid-90s and Saturday in the mid-80s. Temperatures should dip down into the 70s both nights. The event goes on rain or shine.Hours
10 a.m.-10 p.m. both days for Festival grounds. The 21 and over entertainment venues are open a little later; Walkers Tavern until 11 p.m., and Alley Regalley until midnight.Parking
Much of the Downtown Farmington Center parking lot is occupied by festival activities, but parking is available at public lots like those behind businesses on the north side of Grand River and near the Maxfield Training Center on Thomas Street. Download a map at downtownfarmington.org. You can also park at Sellers Buick GMC, 38000 Grand River Ave. or Farmington High School, 32000 Shiawassee Rd. and take the shuttle.Shuttle stops
Once you've gotten to the festival grounds from Sellers Buick GMC, you can get back on behind the library from 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To catch the shuttle back to Farmington High, go to the Farmington Civic Theatre 33332 Grand River Ave.Alley Regalley
Hosted by the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, this low-key wine tent, located behind the Village Mall just south of Grand River and Farmington Rd., features Metro Jazz Voices and Detroit Deville on Friday and Twistin' Tarantulas and The Incredibles on Saturday, after 5 p.m. both days. Food and drink tickets are $5, and there is a $5 cover charge. The Chamber will hold its Dream Raffle drawing Saturday night.
Bingo!
The Farmington High School Music Patrons Bingo tent is located in the Farmington Insurance Agency parking lot at 33215 Grand River. Play Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., with the annual Alumni Night on Friday, and free kids' bingo (under age 18) on Friday, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Books, books and more books
The Friends of the Farmington Community Library will hold its annual used book sale on Farmington Road, south of Grand River. Prices range from 50 cents to $2, and funds raised support library services.
Botsford Parade
The 70-unit parade steps off at 9:40 a.m. Saturday on Grand River at Power Rd. and ends at Liberty St. at around noon. Grand River closes at 8:45 a.m.; Shiawassee provides an alternate route parallel to Grand River. This year's parade theme is "Cartoons and Comic Books", with Batman and Robin taking a break from crime fighting in Gotham City to serve as honorary grand marshals.
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Crafter's Marketplace
More than 100 booths line Farmington Road during the Festival, as part of this juries craft show. You'll find pottery, jewelry, fashions, garden art and more.
Farmers Market
Look for a "growers only" market Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., in the market's temporary location on Orchard Street, east of Farmington Road (behind Fitness 19).
For the kids
The Meijer Go Play area will be at the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion and Riley Park. Admission is free; some activities may require a small fee. There will be a Healthy Living tent and entertainment beginning at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Founders Festival Run
The Downtown Farmington Founders Festival 4 Mile Run starts Saturday, 9 a.m., in Shiawassee Park. Participants run from Shiawassee and Power through downtown Farmington, to the applause of parade-goers. Awards are presented for overall and master for both male and female, as well as top three finishers in each age category. Registration is $25 on race day.
History Tours
Representing local historical organizations, the History Booth is located on Grand River, on the lawn in front of city hall. Local historian Brian Golden will give tours Saturday, 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m., in an air-conditioned bus provided by Community Living Centers.
Information
You'll find general information about the festival at foundersfestival.com. Information booths will be set up near Farmington and State, near Walker's Tavern and on the north side of Grand River, east of Farmington Rd.
Jesus Carnival
First United Methodist Church on Grand River hosts this event Saturday, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. The church will also offer ice cream socials on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a pie baking contest Thursday evening. Look for crafters on the church lawn.
Masonic activities
A craft show and the Michigan Masonic Child ID program run Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. at the Masonic Hall, Farmington and Grand River. The Mason’s Corner offers tasty treats such as barbecue, popcorn, snow cones and more.
Movie Night
See Wreck-It Ralph under the stars at 9:30 p.m. Friday in Shiawassee Park. Refreshments will be available, and donations will be collected for local charities.
Street Closures
- Downtown Farmington Center lot - midnight Wednesday-Sunday evening
- Farmington Road, Grand River to just south of CVS Pharmacy - 11:30 a.m. Thursday-Sunday evening
- Grand River, Power Rd. to Liberty St. - Saturday, 8:45 a.m. to around noon
Walker's Tavern (beer tent)
This venue in the Downtown Farmington Center lot opens at 5 p.m. each evening to those ages 21 and over. There's a $5 cover charge for these Walker's Tavern concerts, held from 7 p.m.-11 p.m.:
- Thursday - Trilogy, billed as the ultimate variety band, was voted best wedding band in Detroit 2012 and 2013 by CityVoter.com.
- Friday - Fifty Amp Fuse, a live multimedia spectacular and international favorite, celebrates six decades of American and British pop/rock hits.
- Saturday - Killer Flamingos, a band popular with local crowds, will perform an infectious blend of pop, rock and electronica.
Wags 'n' Whiskers Land
Memorial Park, on the north side of Grand River between Farmington Road and Oakland Street, is home to this new festival feature. Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the area will be packed with doggie related vendors, food vendors, entertainment and even a doggy kissing booth.Need to know more? Visit foundersfestival.com.
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