Happy 313th Birthday Detroit! Celebrate the City in Style

By: Toni Cunningham | July 24, 2014
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When you’re posting your “Throwback Thursday” photos to Instagram today, bear in mind that today is a very special day. Thursday, July 24, 2014 marks the city of Detroit’s official 313th birthday. The Motor City has been kickin’ for over seven times as long as Eminem has been alive. Hard to imagine a Detroit without the Real Slim Shady, right?

Detroit’s 313th birthday is of course a significant one because 313 is the area code which all Detroit residents possess. In honor of this momentous occasion, there are tons of fun activities and events happening in Detroit today. Let’s take a look!

Motor City Brewing Works, 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, is hosting a biking beer crawl that includes the tapping of MCBW’s newest beer, Trois Cent Treize. Bars along the way include The Park Bar, Woodbridge Pub, Jacoby’s, Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub and more.

“313 Firkin Bike Ride” begins at 12:45 p.m., and there will be two different routes to take, each with stops at four different bars. The tapping will take place at St. CeCe’s Pub at 8 p.m. The event costs $10, which includes a t-shirt.

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Detroit Historical Society, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, will hold a birthday party in partnership with Preservation Detroit, Forward Arts and more to celebrate Detroit’s birthday.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the historical society’s Legends Plaza and will include local food trucks, free birthday treats for Detroit Historical Society members, a cash bar (featuring $2 Atwater Brewery beers until 8 p.m.), and entertainment by the Motor City Soul Club. General admission costs $10, and $5 for Detroit Historical Society members.

Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is holding a “Happy 3-1-3 Birthday” T-shirt competition, beginning at 11 a.m., where the winning designer of the best t-shirt from a pool of participants will be announced.

Afterwards, the birthday party will continue with a special live DJ mix featuring Dwele beginning at 5:30 p.m. While you’re in the Campus Martius area, be sure to stop by Fountain Bistro, where you’ll find a celebration complete with music, food and themed drinks. Sit back, relax and sip on The Slim Shady (Valentine Distilling Co. White Blossom Vodka and lemonade) or Motown Fusion (Valentine Vodka and Faygo Red and Orange pop).

D:hive, 1253 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is celebrating the anniversary the way most celebrations should be done: with a pizza party! Between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., stop in to the D:hive storefront location for free pizza, snacks and trivia.

I am a fan of any and all Detroit pizza, but above all, free pizza. Plus, while you’re there, you can take a look around the D:hive office and learn about all of the great ways this organization perpetuates love for the city of Detroit.

Detroit Experience Factory, 1253 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is raising a glass and saying “cheers” to the city of Detroit by holding a celebration called “Drink Detroit.” The bar crawl event begins at The Anchor Bar, then goes to Tommy’s and ends at Jacoby’s. (If you’re observant, you’ve noted that D:hive and Detroit Experience Factory share the same street address, and that’s because DXF is D:hive’s local tour program).

You can expect to receive fun facts about Detroit History, drink specials and perhaps even free food along the way. Tickets cost just $10, and this is an event that shouldn’t be missed!

Shawn Lee Studios, 28830 W. 8 Mile Rd., Farmington, is putting on one of the coolest 313 birthday parties yet: a bus tour! The photographic bus tour will go through Detroit and allow participants to take photos of all the sites—using whatever camera you have with you, be it a DSLR or an iPhone camera.

The tour will begin at Detroit’s Rivard Plaza at 8 a.m. and end in Brightmoor at noon. After it’s over, you’ll be treated to cake and ice cream at Sweet Potato Sensations and Motor City Java and Tea House. The four hour guided tour is a great way to take in the city and all it has to offer. Plus, it only costs $25! You can’t put a price on knowledge.

Whether you want to bake a cake in honor of the city of Detroit or attend one of these events to celebrate, that is your prerogative. Just make sure you take some time out of your day to commemorate the city in some way or another. Happy birthday, Detroit!

 

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