Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Registration is limited to 70 parade entries for the July 20 event.
If you ever wanted to portray your favorite cartoon or comic book character, this year's Downtown Farmington Founders Festival Parade will give you the chance to live your dream. Download a Downtown Farmington Founders Festival Parade application at www.foundersfestival.com and then make plans to build a float or march as a group with fellow non-profit or business employees. Of course, there will also be schools and city government parade participants. Everyone enjoys a parade. Wouldn’t it be fun to be in one? One requirement is that entries must adhere to the theme of Cartoons & Comic Books and be fully decorated or costumed. “For those who are still kids at heart, this parade will bring back memories as well as create new ones for you …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Farmington Downtown Development Authority board members approve a plan that reduces the number of Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market days in 2013.
Farmington Downtown Development Authority board members shot down a staff proposal Monday that would have closed the Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market season on the last Saturday in October in 2013. The market was open through the end of November this year. But officials approved a plan that cuts three market days next year, the last two in November and one during the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival. Events planner Janet Bloom said the market lost more than $1,000 in sponsorships in 2012, including a music sponsor and one for the Farmington Fit program, which launched in 2011. However, the number of on-site sponsors jumped from three to nine, generating $5,200 to support the Saturday event, which ran this year from May through…
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Even though sponsorship losses cut into expected profits, officials say they'll follow through on a commitment to use funds for new lights and banners.
Farmington city treasurer Chris Weber delivered some bad news to Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board members Monday. While the numbers aren't final, Weber said, this year's events have thus far lost $13,499. He said the Farmers and Artisans Market, Founders Festival and Rhythmz in Riley Park all made money, while Art on the Grand, Harvest Moon and Holly Days lost money. Weber said budget projections called for events to add $19,600 to the DDA's budget; instead, they are now projected to cost the organization a total of $34,890. DDA executive director Annette Knowles said "the single largest factor" in the losses were sponsorships. A few weeks before Founders Festival, for instance, Meijer cut its $30,000 sponsorship in…
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The signature community event celebrates a half-century of fun in 2014.
While Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) events planner Janet Bloom looks back at a successful 2012 Downtown Farmington Founders Festival, she's also looking ahead to 2014. "We already have our eyes and ears on the 50th anniversary," Bloom said, noting she welcomes ideas for celebrating the milestone. "We're open to suggestions." The 2012 Festival, she said, benefitted from "phenomenal" weather, and "from people feeling like they could get out and enjoy a nice summer day." Vendors told her they liked the layout, with a juried craft show on Farmington Rd. and other booths and food vendors in the Downtown Farmington Center parking lot. Bloom said some "tweaks" are being considered for 2013. While the childrens' area will …
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Patch readers share college admission tips and a lengthy analysis of bias in the media.
This week, our Patch bloggers are covering a wide range of topics and drawing plenty of comments. Here are three local voices who posted on our site this week: We've made blogging with Patch even easier, with a simple, two-click sign up. If you're passionate about a hobby, sports, music, politics or any other topic, just click here: Start a Blog.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Check out what people are saying about our community festival, and add your photos to our gallery.
Downtown Farmington is bustling with activity and the conversation on social media is heating up as Founders Festival opened today under sunny skies. The community-wide festival that stretches along Grand River from Grove Street to Farmington Road, is open until 10 p.m. It opens again tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. We've got information about parking, shuttle service, entertainment and more in "Need to Know: Downtown Farmington Founders Festival Starts Today". Share your favorite Founders Festival memories by adding your photos and videos to this gallery, which we'll be updating throughout the weekend. Not sure how to upload? Check out our step-by-step guide.
42.4649
-83.37646
Grand River Ave & Farmington Rd, Farmington, MI
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42.46361
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Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion & Riley Park
Grand River Ave & Grove St, Farmington, MI
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Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Downtown Farmington Founders Festival kicks off tonight with pre-glow events, but you can also watch the Farmington Idol preliminary competition.
At 11:30 a.m. today, barricades will close Farmington Road from Grand River almost to State St., signalling the beginning of the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival. (The Downtown Farmington Center lot closed at midnight.) You can find information in our 2012 Downtown Farmington Founders Festival guide. Here's what else you should know today: There's a 30 percent chance of showers today, but the rain should move out before tonight's Founders Festival Alley Regalley and Walker's Tavern events. The National Weather Service predicts a high around 85, and a low around 63, under cloudy skies. Today at 2 p.m., the Farmington Community Library Main Library will show a 90-minute, family-friendly film that depicts how some 1,400 Michigan World…
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The Farmington Community Library Main Library
32737 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Honor Flight movie
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706983
/locations/7443183
42.46894
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Drakeshire Foods & Lounge
35000 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
Farmington Idol preliminary
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-19-2012
707072
/locations/7443184
42.47805
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Heritage Park
25099 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Family campfire
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-19-2012
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/locations/7443185
42.476462
-83.377057
City of Farmington Hills Nature Discovery Center
24915b Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Family campfire
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012
More than 100 crafters from around the country will display their wares in downtown Farmington July 20 and 21.
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012
If you are looking for something handmade with character or charm, you can find it at the Crafters Marketplace during the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival. More than 100 crafters will display their work during this juried craft show, sponsored by SMART. All work exhibited must be original and handcrafted by the artist. Many different craft categories will be represented, including fashion, garden art, children’s items, pottery, jewelry and photography. Crafters come from around the country as well as all over the state of Michigan. Food vendors, mainly from the metro Detroit area, and 20 local non-profit booths, including the Farmington Family YMCA, Farmington Hills Fire Fighters, Homeless Heroes USA and Home FurEver, as well as …
42.4649
-83.37646
Grand River Ave & Farmington Rd, Farmington, MI
Crafters Marketplace
/articles/find-original-hand-made-items-at-downtown-farmington-founders-festival
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield hosts a seminar tonight on K2 and Spice.
There's another scorching hot day ahead, this is a good time review the Emergency Preparedness Commission's tips for staying safe in the heat. Here's what else you should know: The National Weather Service predicts the temperature will break 100 today, with a heat index around 105. (Read more.) Tonight will cool down into the low 70s, with a 50 percent chance or rain and thunderstorms. Bring the kids to the Farmington Community Library Main Library today at 10:30 a.m. to meet new friends and socialize with other parents. The library provides a variety of toys and books geared for children from birth to age 5. Registration is not required. This event is offered today, 7 p.m., just over the border at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, …
42.541451
-83.409433
6777 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI
K2, Spice seminar
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-17-2012
/locations/7432610
42.464118
-83.374639
Judge Asset Management
33212 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
Blueberry pies sold
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-17-2012
705916
/locations/7432611
42.498884
-83.371202
The Farmington Community Library Main Library
32737 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Play date
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-17-2012
706983
/locations/7432612
42.485359
-83.329111
William M. Costick Activities Center
28600 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
Blueberry pie baking
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-17-2012
1527734
/locations/7432613
42.46462
-83.375807
Farmington Civic Theater
33332 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
Miss Farmington pageant
/articles/5-things-you-should-know-today-july-17-2012
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/locations/7432614
That 80’s Band, Fifty Amp Fuse and Killer Flamingos round out the Main Stage acts during the three-day event.
This year's Downtown Farmington Founders Festival entertainment line-up includes three main stage bands, world music, circus acts, dancers and magic. The Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion at Grand River and Grove becomes an entertainment hub July 19-21, serving as the Bright House Main Stage with family-friendly acts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., then as Walker's Tavern, offering music, beer and other adult beverages for adults 21 and older, and the Elks Club Ox Roast, from 5 p.m. on. These Main Stage concerts are free: There's a $5 cover charge for these Walker's Tavern concerts, held from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. all three nights: Thursday - That 80’s Band's stage show includes a one-of-a-kind '80s classic video collection with restored digital …
42.46361
-83.37343
Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion & Riley Park
Grand River Ave & Grove St, Farmington, MI
/articles/enjoy-magic-music-and-more-during-downtown-farmington-founders-festival
1800270
/locations/7430647
Darren Whittaker
10:56 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Aint it the truth? Parades are supposed to be FUN, not an opportunity for every Tom, Dick and Harriet who wants to march down the center of the street to serve up their own brand of propaganda. March, protest, evangelize if you wish, but leave it out of the parade, and put more FUN things in there. The kids (and their mommies and daddies) would appreciate it. more ›