River Rouge Days Brings End of Summer Celebration

It's time once again for Rouge Days and that means summer is winding down, but Rouge Days organizers want the community to send summer out with a bang. The fun begins Friday, September 6 and runs through Sunday, September 8. Personnel Director for the city of River Rouge Lisa Givens and Assistant to Mayor William Campbell, Deanne Belcher, say this year will be the event's 96th celebration. The pair are part of the team organizing the three-day festival and are optimistic the event will provide memorable fun for all. Belcher says, "I think the best part of Rouge Days is that everybody comes home. People who have been gone for years find this may be the only time you get to see each other. It feels like the community comes together for that weekend and even if they've moved away, it just feels like home."

Rouge Days will provide plenty of free, family-friendly fun. Free musical entertainment will take place each evening, providing classic rock music, blues and jazz, and top 40 hits. All bands take the stage at 7 p.m. The splash park will host events for children including art contests, foods such as hot dogs and pizza, foam fun, prizes and a movie each evening at dusk. Fun at the splash park begins at 11 a.m. each day. A free train ride around the park will be available for young children as well.

A parade will take place Saturday at noon along West Jefferson Avenue. Helicopter rides will be part of the offerings along with Pro-wrestling All Stars and a free photo booth to create fun memories as well.

Sunday will bring the Annual Free Pancake Breakfast at 9 a.m., along with a horseshoe tournament. A car show will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Givens says this year organizers will present fireworks on Saturday evening and a drone show on Sunday evening, adding that without support from the community this event would not happen. "We can't get this to happen without people donating. People understand how important this is to us as a community," she says.

Few attractions that will incur additional cost are the carnival, helicopter rides, and the beer tent. Wristbands for the carnival are on sale now online at http://www.gotothecarnival.com for $18 when purchased by midnight September 5. When purchased onsite at the event, the cost will be $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday and Sunday. The Beer Tent will be hosted by the Knights of Columbus Southgate Council and all proceeds will benefit their organization. All activities will wrap up by 11 p.m. "Everyone's welcome, the more the merrier. We can't wait to see you all," adds Belcher.

Rouge Days will take place at Memorial Park along West Jefferson Avenue. For more information see the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRRDays/.