Earth Day cleanups, a restaurant week and zoo poo: 5 things to do this weekend
This weekend in metro Detroit offers a variety of activities, from Earth Day events and volunteer opportunities for a cleaner, greener Earth to mouthwatering culinary experiences in Dearborn. You can also check out an eco-friendly event at the Detroit Zoo or explore the grounds of the Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. For book lovers, there's a chance to grab some gently used books in Rochester.
Here are five things to do for the weekend of April 19-21:
Ford House Community Appreciation Day
Enjoy the beauty of this National Historic Landmark where visitors can explore the grounds of Ford House and immerse themselves in its rich history. Guests can stroll through gardens, visit The Shop for unique gifts, explore exhibitions in the Visitor Center, and more.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. Admission is free, but registration is recommended. Visitors can choose either a free House & Grounds Pass, which grants admission to the property and a self-paced exploration of the Main residence, or a free Grounds Pass, for those who want to enjoy the grounds and gardens. Visit Ford House to register.
Detroit Zoo Greenfest
Consumers Energy is hosting an event featuring live music by local artists, a selection of eco-friendly food trucks, a sustainable marketplace, interactive activities, photo opportunities, and more. The first 250 groups to enter the Zoo on each event date will take home a gallon bucket of Zoo Poo - compost created from waste collected at the Zoo including manure, bedding and food waste perfect to grow your garden or plant paradise.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; regular Zoo hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Greenfest admission is included with Detroit Zoo entry ticket.
Dearborn Restaurant Week
This 10-day event will showcase more than 25 restaurants and promote the diverse culinary experiences Dearborn has to offer with prix fixe price points.
Friday through April 28 in Dearborn. Visit Dearborn Restaurant Week for participating restaurants.
Community Cleanup events across Detroit
In honor of celebrating Earth Day, the Detroit Parks Coalition is calling for volunteers to participate in a series of cleanup events held by seven member organizations. These events will offer a range of activities including a tree to take home to plant for the first 50 volunteers at one location. There'll be lunch, art, live music and more.
Here are details for each location:
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Eliza Howell Park, 23751 Fenkell. Register at eventbrite.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Dequindre Cut Greenway .Register at eventbrite.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at Rouge Park, 8886 Lahser Road. Register at therouge.org.
9:30 a.m. Monday at O’Hair Park, 19800 Pembroke.
10 a.m.-noon Monday at Chandler Park, 12831 Frankfort.
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 27 at Belle Isle, outside the Belle Isle Aquarium, 3 Inselruhe Ave. Sign up at Belle Isle Conservancy.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27 at Palmer Park, 910 Merrill Plaisance. Sign up at eventbrite.
Spring Book Sale
The Friends of Rochester Hills Public Library will host a spring book sale featuring gently used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, puzzles and games.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester.
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: Things to do in metro Detroit: Dearborn Restaurant Week, Earth Day