Happy National Coffee Day! Whether you like your coffee black or light and sweet, chances are it’s an important — and energizing — part of your day. Use our list of Oakland County coffee shops to find a delicious cup o’ joe today:
Continue reading
Get ready to rumble, Oakland County! The world’s largest one-day automotive celebration, bringing in over 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars from around the world to Oakland County, the Woodward Dream Cruise, is rolling back into town Saturday, August 20th. Travel along the 16-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue from Pontiac to Ferndale, and cruise through nine Oakland County communities: Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak.
The Dream Cruise is a free, family-friendly event that has plenty to offer car owners, auto enthusiasts, and fans of all ages. Spectators can line up along the cruising route or even cruise with the classics, although those not driving a classic car are asked to stay out of the two right lanes to keep a clear view for the spectators. There will also be many restaurants and pop-up events scattered across the cruising route. In addition, bands and musicians will perform on the Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage on Friday and Saturday in Ferndale and a Kid’s Inflatable Zone and Face Painting will be available in Berkley.
Check out our video for a sneak peek at what’s to come:
If you’re looking to wet your whistle, we’ve got you covered (21 and older only). Oakland County has a wide variety of breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, and meaderies where you can raise a glass. You’ll find better ingredients, seasonal selections, and, of course, better taste! Take a look at our list and interactive map below before you head out to support your favorite local businesses. Cheers!
The sounds and sights of music and film are set to be seen in parks across Oakland County this summer. From the pristine Riverside Park in Auburn Hills, to Shain Park in Birmingham, bands both local and well-known are prepared to play music of all genres from June through September. In addition, a multitude of parks such as Oxford Park and Jaycee Park in Berkley or Central Park in Milford are hosting movie nights for anyone to attend.
Pick up a soft blanket, a pillow or two, a picnic basket of snacks, and use our list of outdoor summer concerts and movies to plan an evening of entertainment outdoors.
Continue reading
Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when news of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas – nearly two years after the proclamation had been issued. The holiday is a celebration of the freedom and liberation of the last of the enslaved people in the United States.
“We mark Juneteenth to celebrate the end of the dark chapter of slavery in our country. It is a day for us to reflect on our history and ensure that we understand the impacts of that history which are still with us today. We dedicate ourselves to freedom from discrimination, violence, and unequal justice.”
–Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter
Juneteenth represents resistance, resilience, and the joy that freedom brings. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter sat down with Oakland County Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Robin Carter-Cooper to talk about this important milestone in America’s history:
At its meeting on June 7, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to designate Juneteenth as a county holiday in 2022. The county will observe Monday, June 20 as the Juneteenth holiday, and all county offices will be closed.
“Juneteenth isn’t just Black history. Slavery ended on this day, which is a very important moment for the Black community, and I’m proud that the Board and county administration have taken action to acknowledge this.”
–Commissioner Angela Powell (D-Pontiac)
On June 1, 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an order stating that June 19 become a recognized court holiday and ordered all courts in the State of Michigan be closed on Monday, June 20. President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 designating Juneteenth as a national holiday.
“Holidays have meaning and purpose. We encourage county employees and residents to observe Juneteenth to reflect on our history, and together commit to a better future for everyone by addressing racial injustice in America.”
–Board Chairman David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak)
In commemoration of the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, use our list of events in Oakland County below to find a celebration near you. Visit our Juneteenth Things to Do Page for even more activities throughout Metro Detroit.
June 3-30: Juneteenth Film Festival
June 17-19: Farmington Area Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Ferndale/Hazel Park Juneteenth Celebration
June 19: Juneteenth Date Night
June 18: Ferndale/Hazel Park Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Juneteenth Street Festival
June 19: Juneteenth Parade
June 3-30: Juneteenth Film Festival
June 15: Juneteenth Roundtable Discussion
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
June 15-22: Southfield Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Juneteenth Family Reunion
June 19: My Black is Power Juneteenth Pop-up
June 18: Juneteenth In The WB
June 16: Preserving MI Harvest – Celebrating Juneteenth: African-American Cuisine
Do you know of any other Juneteenth events taking place in the Oakland County area? Let us know about them; contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com.
Continue reading