'Yacht' races, concerts galore: 5 things to do in metro Detroit for Labor Day weekend

Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·4 min read

This weekend symbolizes the informal conclusion of summer, accompanied by enjoyable Labor Day traditions all over metro Detroit.

Festivities will bring together crowds for music, food and amusements in Hamtramck, Romeo, Royal Oak, Franklin, Detroit and Novi.

Here are few things to do for the weekend of Sept.1-4:

Hamtramck Labor Day Festival

This festival sponsored by Hatch will feature "yacht" races (a Hamtramck tradition), wrestling, live music, food, carnival rides, a parade on Monday, and more.

Festival goers got a chance to watch the Hamtramck Yacht Race on Monday, September 6, 2021. Teams of patrons from local bars race down Joseph Campau in carts shaped like boats while being pelted with water balloons. The two finalists Whiskey In The Jar and Two Way take off from the start line Whiskey In the Jar would go on to take first place.
Festival goers got a chance to watch the Hamtramck Yacht Race on Monday, September 6, 2021. Teams of patrons from local bars race down Joseph Campau in carts shaped like boats while being pelted with water balloons. The two finalists Whiskey In The Jar and Two Way take off from the start line Whiskey In the Jar would go on to take first place.

There will be music performances by Day Residue, The Stools, Detroit Cobras, The Dead Milkmen, Coxiopioxio, Dark Red, Duende and more.

Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Monday on Jos. Campau in Hamtramck. Free admission.

Detroit Jazz Fest

This free, four-day annual tradition will take place in Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Sept. 1-4, and will include 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Louis Hayes, Regina Carter and Kenny Garrett — all of whom hail from Detroit.

This year's artist in residence, Detroit's own Karriem Riggins, is an award-winning jazz, R&B and hip-hop drummer, songwriter and producer who’s collaborated with jazz and pop musicians as Ray Brown, Paul McCartney, Roy Hargrove, Norah Jones, Esperanza Spalding, Cedar Walton and Milt Jackson, and hip-hop artists like The Roots, Kanye West, Consequence, singers Erykah Badu and Dwele and late Detroit rap producer J Dilla.

People listen to various artists perform during the Detroit Jazz Festival on a rainy day at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius, Sunday, September 4, 2022.
People listen to various artists perform during the Detroit Jazz Festival on a rainy day at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius, Sunday, September 4, 2022.

A tribute to the uber-influential Dilla, “J Dilla Lives Forever,” will be performed the evening of Sunday, Sept. 3, as a part of the weekend’s diverse offerings. T3, the lone surviving original member of the Dilla-led Detroit rap group Slum Village, is also set to perform at the festival.

Celebrated rapper Common and renowned producer Madlib are also scheduled to perform, infusing this year's festival with a heavy dose of hip-hop.

Full program schedule at detroitjazzfest.org.

Romeo Peach Festival

This 92nd annual festival in the Village of Romeo will include carnival rides, games, fireworks, live music, food, a classic car show and cruise, parades, a pancake breakfast, and more.

You can bring home a whole peach pie from the Romeo Peach Festival.
You can bring home a whole peach pie from the Romeo Peach Festival.

Events will be held at various locations around the Romeo area. Times and Admission fees will vary by event.

Romeo Lions festival grounds admission is free on Thursday; Friday-Monday $5 daily admission to the carnival grounds starting at noon; children 12 and younger are free.

Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats

This four-day, mile-long event will bring music, food and art to downtown Royal Oak.

A juried fine art show at the southern edge of the festival site will showcase artists from across the nation.

Crowds stroll down Washington Avenue during Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak on Sept. 2, 2022.
Crowds stroll down Washington Avenue during Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak on Sept. 2, 2022.

This year’s music headliners scheduled to perform on more than nine stages will include Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Halestorm, Russell Dickerson, and Bell Biv DeVoe, American Authors, Collective Soul and Randy Houser.

More: Joan Jett, Bell Biv DeVoe lead Arts, Beats & Eats lineup; first-ever cannabis zone to debut

A variety of food trucks and restaurant booths will feature unique cultural dishes, classic American cuisine, desserts and more.

New to the festival this year will be a designated cannabis zone, including sales and consumption,

Festival hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday. Single-day tickets are $7 in advance; admission is free until 5 p.m. Friday and $12 after that. Saturday-Monday entry is $10 until 3 pm. and $12 after 3 p.m.

Michigan State Fair

This annual event will include carnival rides, animal shows, a circus, live music, food and more.

There will be music performances by James Wailin, Laura Mendoza, George Montrelle, Kathleen Murray,Mike Ward, Barelyon and more.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River in Novi. Tickets start at $10, which includes admission to the fair.

Labor Day Round Up and Art Fair

Hand stitched work by artist, Sandra Baughman.
Hand stitched work by artist, Sandra Baughman.

  • The 78th Franklin Community Association Labor Day Round Up family fair will feature a parade at noon, giant inflatables, pony rides, petting farm, magic show, jugglers, interactive circus, midway games, face painting, food, classic car show, Historical Society and Garden Club displays, and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday in downtown Franklin.

  • Art in the Village, a fine art fair, will feature works in glass, pottery, fiber, furniture, jewelry, photography, painting, watercolor, wood, sculpture and metal. There will also be musical performances throughout the day. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday on Franklin Road between 13 Mile and 14 Mile in Franklin. Free admission.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 things to do in metro Detroit for Labor Day weekend