Winter At Valade guests can learn about cultures from around the world and enjoy a food truck rally, live music and dance; hands-on activities and a parade celebrating the Lunar New Year
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Visitors to the Detroit Riverfront can experience cultures from across the globe while having some outdoor fun as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Winter at Valade programming, which is presented by Friends of Robert C. Valade Park, continues this weekend with the colorful and festive Winter Around the World celebration on January 20-22.
Sponsored by Visit Detroit, Winter Around the World features an international food truck rally on Saturday and Sunday and international music and dance performances all weekend long by Detroit artists.
Winter Around the World is open Friday, January 20 from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, January 21 from Noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, January 22 from Noon to 7 p.m. Robert C. Valade Park is located at 2670 East Atwater along the East Riverfront in downtown Detroit.
Live Music and Dance Performances Celebrate Individual Cultures
Music and dance performances by groups from throughout Metro Detroit will celebrate Irish, First Nations, Mexican, Indian, Hawaiian, Armenian, Caribbean and other cultures.
Saturday’s performances include Motor City Street Dance Academy, Ballet Folklorico Moyocoyani Izel, Dhruv Gupta & the Tri-County Bollywood Association and others.
Sunday’s highlights include the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization’s Lunar New Year celebration with a colorful parade, lion and dragon dances and hands-on crafts.
Food Trucks will Offer an Eclectic Taste of the World
A diverse selection of food trucks will provide Winter Around the World with an international flair as attendees have the opportunity to sample authentic cuisine from several different cultures. Food trucks scheduled to attend include Fork in Nigeria, Galindo’s, Balkan House and PizzaPazza.
Additionally, Geisha Girls Sushi and Smokey G’s Smokehouse, two eateries that operate out of The Shed at Valade Park year round, will be serving food as well.
Hands-On Activities for the Adults and Kids Alike
Winter Around the World offers visitors the chance to partake in some hands-on fun as well with crafts scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can make their own flag both days, and on Sunday, they can learn how to write their name in Chinese characters during the Lunar New Year Celebration.
Come Play Detroit will host their own version of the winter Olympic games on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Contestants will compete in winter classics like curling and box hockey or try their hands at more unconventional games like fowling or tug of war. Participants can earn prizes – and perhaps more importantly – bragging rights on the Valade Winter Olympics Leader Board.
The Sunday schedule of Winter Around the World includes:
Sunday, January 22
All Day International Food Truck Rally
1 to 4 p.m. – Lunar New Year Celebration with the Michigan Taiwanese American Assn.
1 to 1:30 p.m. – Lunar New Year Parade
1:30 to 2:20 p.m. – Lion Dance & Dragon Dance
2 to 4 p.m. – Lunar New Year Crafts
3 to 3:30 p.m. – Michigan FACSA Ensemble
1 to 5 p.m. – Crafts and PKSA Karate demonstrations
4:15 to 4:30 p.m. – Revolution Chinese Yoyo (Chinese Yoyo)
5 to 6 p.m. – Adel Ruelas featuring Luna (Latin Rock)
Winter Around the World is the second of four colorful and festive themed weekends this season in which the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy re-imagines the Michigan winter through ice sculptures, cultural events, live music and more. Close to 12,000 people enjoyed Fire & Ice Festival two weekend ago.
The upcoming themed weekends include February 3-5 Motown Love and February 17-19 Mardi Gras at Valade.
This is the third season of Winter at Valade programming. More than 40,000 people enjoyed the festivities during the 2021-22 season.
“The Detroit Riverfront is a four-season destination, so we like to provide guests with activities and things to do year round,” said Rachel Frierson, director of programming. “Our winter programming has gets more popular each year. People are looking for things to do and to get outside for some fresh air with friends and family. We’re proud to be able to provide these Winter at Valade events for them to enjoy.”
Winter at Valade programming kicked off its season December 9 with hundreds of guests enjoying oversized outdoor fire places, delicious food and drink and s’mores stations. The outdoor fun continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through February 26.
Two eateries which operate out of The Shed at Valade Park year round will provide guests with delicious food to purchase at Winter at Valade. Smokey G’s menu includes pulled pork, brisket, ribs, macaroni and cheese and other items. Geisha Girls Sushi features crab Rangoon, shrimp tempura, panko chicken tenders and more. Food is available Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 8 p.m.
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