Photo courtesy of the Riverfront Conservancy
Metro-Detroiters are invited to show some love to Detroit and to the Best Riverwalk in the United States as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Winter at Valade celebration continues this February 11-13 weekend with “Motown Love” at Valade Park.
There is an array of ways for guests to show their affection for Detroit, as well as for their loved ones during Motown Love, a three-day love letter to the Motor City that features dance parties, live Motown-themed music by local artists, a writing workshop and open mic session, Valentine’s craft making for the kids, and a “Galantine’s” celebration for women that includes wine-tasting. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides available for $40. Each ride can accommodate up to four guests for a 15 minute ride along the scenic Detroit Riverfront.
Presented by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Winter at Valade started in December and offers visitors to Valade Park a plethora of winter fun every weekend through February 27, featuring oversized outdoor fires, marshmallow roasters, hot seasonal alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, delicious food, sledding, synthetic ice curling and great programming from fitness classes to dog walking for all ages every weekend.
Motown Love is the fourth of five special themed weekends during the Winter at Valade celebration in which the Michigan winter is re-imagined through ice sculptures, cultural events, live music and more. The final enhanced themed weekend will be Mardi Gras at Valade February 25-27.
Robert C. Valade Park is located at 2670 East Atwater along the East Riverfront in downtown Detroit. The hours for Winter at Valade each weekend are 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The Love Letters to Detroit Open Mic night with Inside|Out literary art projects happens Friday, February 11 where participants are invited to express their Detroit love through writing, spoken word and song. Advance sign up to perform is requested here: https://detroitriverfront.org/things-do/winter-valade/motown-love-february-11-13.
Saturday will include a Valentine kid’s dance party, Motown music performed by Detroit bands and singers, and the lighting of a “hearts on fire” ice tower. Sunday is a Galentines’s Day where friends can get together to “Treat Yo Self” with wine tastings, free tarot readings, craft making, ice sculpture selfie stations and a dance day party featuring DJ Z-Light. More live Motown music will close out the day.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will be offering carriage rides as part of the Motown Love themed weekend at Valade Park. Carriage rides depart from Robert C. Valade Park. There is free parking available onsite across from the park at the corner of Chene and Guoin streets or directly east of the park at 2680 E. Atwater. Rides can be purchased from the Conservancy’s website.
Live Music All Weekend Long
All weekend long, the Motown sound will be performed by musical artists from throughout the Detroit area. A variety of bands, solo artists, and DJs will perform their own tributes and versions on Motown classics. There will also be a Galentine’s Day Dance Party with DJ Z-Light, a 17 year old DJ phenom, on Sunday celebrating friendships and love among women.
Delicious Food Offerings
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.
Crafting and Dancing For The Family
Winter at Valade offer the chance to partake in some hands-on fun for the whole family. Children and parents alike can get creative on Saturday and Sunday with free make-and-take Valentine crafts. Saturday will feature a Lovely Little Valentine’s Dance Party with Kevin Devine.
All weekend long, curling and box hockey, both of which have been extremely popular among Valade Park visitors this winter and last, will be available for guests to enjoy.
The daily schedule is as follows:
Friday, February 11
Carriage Rides 4 – 9 p.m.
Love Letters to Detroit with Inside Out Literary Arts 6 – 8 p.m.
Writing Workshop 6 – 6:45 p.m.
Open Mic 6:45 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 12 (All day ice sculptures)
Make a Valentine craft 1 – 5 p.m.
Lovely Little Valentines Dance Party
w/ Kevin Devine 1 – 3 p.m.
Carriage Rides 2– 6 p.m.
Damon Terrell Trio 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Denise Davis and The Motor City Sensations 5 – 6 p.m.
Hearts on Fire Ice Tower 3 – 6 p.m.
Drey Skonie and Gold Thumb 6: 30 – 7:30 p.m.
Alise King 8 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, February 13 (All-Day Galentine’s Celebration)
DJ Z-Light Galentine’s Day Party 11:30 a.m.-2pm
Make a Valentine craft 12 – 3 p.m.
Carriage rides, Wine Tasting, Tarot Readings 12 – 4 p.m.
Yvette Meadows 2:15 – 3 p.m.
Will Cyprian 3:15 – 4p.m.
Chris Canas 4:15 – 5 p.m.
Lady Champagne and the Blues Connection 5:15 – 6 p.m.
Winter at Valade Has Something for Everyone Every Weekend This Season
Every weekend features hands-on activities and winter games, including curling on synthetic ice and box hockey. The “Sled Shed” is sponsored by Chip and Sarah McClure and when weather permits, it will provide free sleds for visitors to use while at the park. Several giant outdoor fireplaces are placed throughout the park to help keep guests warm.
There will be no shortage of delicious food and drink every weekend during Winter at Valade. The Shed Bar will feature hot seasonal alcoholic and non-alcoholic classics for purchase like hot chocolate and cider and Granny’s Hot Toddys. Marshmallow kits for roasting at the park will also be available for purchase.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority announced in 2020 the details of a partnership that will leverage the unique assets of the two organizations while strengthening regional outdoor recreation opportunities for youth throughout southeast Michigan.
The 2020-21 winter season marked the debut of Winter at Valade programming for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The Conservancy team is building upon the successes of last season’s events by bringing back some favorite amenities and introducing new ones as well this season. So far this winter season, more than 15,000 people have attended the enhanced Winter at Valade celebrations, which include Holly Jolly Riverfront in December and the Fire & Ice and Winter Around The World festivals last month.
Motown Love Release 4-4-4
“The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is proud to provide a variety of programming for people to enjoy year round,” said Rachel Frierson, director of programming. “We welcomed more than 40,000 people to Winter at Valade during our first year of winter programming and we are off to a great start with the tremendous success of Holly Jolly Riverfront, Fire & Ice, and Winter Around The World festivals.”
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is grateful to all sponsors that are supporting Winter at Valade. Sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsor: Huron-Clinton Metroparks; Fire and Ice Festival Sponsor: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort; Winter Around the World Sponsor: Visit Detroit; Sled Shed: Chip and Sarah McClure; Cozy Community Sponsors: Scott M. Delcomyn, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Janine Pixley & Bryan Parkhurst, Goyert-Treadwell Family Fund, Matt Grimes & Elle Schroeder, Meijer Rivertown Market, MI Building & Construction Trades, Russell Development Company, Barbara Senatore, Walker-Miller Energy Services, Wendy Lewis Jackson, Scott Wickens and Wolverine Packing. Activity Booklet Sponsors include Banner Sign Co, Detroit Segway and Means Group Inc.
The safety of all riverfront visitors is of paramount concern to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, so social-distancing protocols will be in place for all activities during Winter at Valade.
For more information, visit detroitriverfront.org.
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