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As if there isn’t enough to do at the 2009 Heritage Festival already, the folks organizing events in Depot Town have stepped it up a notch this year.
Live music and a beer garden atmosphere are the crown jewels for organizers, who say they hope to keep the trend going.
“I thought it would be really fun to partner up with the Corner Brewery and Aubree’s and see some of the bands scheduled to play at The Jamboree,” said Merrill Guerra, Depot Town events organizer and founder of Ypsilanti’s RealKidz, Inc.
A large tent next to Aubree’s Saloon will provide shelter from the hot August sun and feature local beer provided by Corner Brewery and Frog Island Brewery. While sipping on a cold drink, people will also be able to enjoy some live music thanks to promotional efforts by folks organizing The Jamboree at Riverside Park.
The Depot Town Jamboree Music Stage, also at the east end of town, will feature live music with bands that are also performing at the September music festival. A dozen bands will be playing over the course of Friday and Saturday including The Blue Rubys, The Latin Love Baskets, Soundhound, The Bearded Ladies and Black Jack on Pluto.
The robotics team typically occupies the space now set up to kick back, relax and enjoy the live music. But that doesn’t mean the robotics competitions and exhibits have to stop. The team hasn’t left Dept Town and has scheduled events Friday, Saturday and Sunday in a tent situated on Cross Street, closer to Riverside Park.
For those hoping to take the train to the 2011 Heritage Festival, the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse will have a Freighthouse Café exhibit throughout the weekend. A “happy hour” from 5 – 10 p.m. Friday will also be available to visitors who wish to sample wine and specialty beer, soak in some live jazz and help raise money for the building’s grand re-opening.
“It’s kind of going back to our roots,” said Linda French, a member of the friends group and owner of Sidetrack Bar and Grill. “We use to have jazz in Depot Town and we’re bringing it back to the Freighthouse.”
If all goes as planned, a light rail system with stops in Detroit, Dearborn, Metro Airport, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor will be running by October 2010. Visitors can take the train to the 2011 Heritage Festival, get dropped off at the platform - expected to be built near the historic Freighthouse - and never have to worry about the troubles of driving or parking.
Three new businesses in Depot Town will be experiencing their first Heritage Festival this year. Fantasy Attic, Depot Town Tattoo and most recently Café Racer will join mainstays like Apple Annie’s Antiques, Dennis’s Music and Nelson Amos. Another new display this year is Café Racer’s vintage motorcycle exhibit. The newly-opened vintage motorcycle shop at 10 Cross Street will be showcasing bikes all three days of the festival.
For all those early birds, the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Depot Town starts at 7 a.m. Patrons can stock up on locally raised meat, eggs, bread, baked goods and hand made crafts as well as fresh produce and fresh-cut flowers in the market pavilion south of the Freighthouse. Then they take a quick stroll over to the Nightmare Cruise (SEE PAGE #) Saturday afternoon.
Finally, Guerra said new vendors will be mixed in with the old favorites on Cross Street. She said a fresh salsa booth will add some flavor to the mix, while Ypsilanti’s SOS Community Services, a non-profit that provides housing crisis services, homeless family services and homeless children's services for families in Washtenaw County, will continue its Empty Bowls fundraiser.
Visitors can swing by the tent and buy a hand-crafted bowl made by artisans from Rovin Ceramics, the Ann Arbor Potters Guild, the University of Michigan School of Art and Design and the Michigan Ceramic Art Association. All proceeds will benefit the SOS Emergency Food Pantry.
Guerra said she can’t wait to see Cross Street come alive once again for Heritage Festival. “But this time around,” she said, “there’s some added excitement.”
Depot Town Events
Empty Bowls Project SOS Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Farmers’ Market 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday
Fresh Produce, Flowers, Plants and Crafts
Nightmare Cruise (See page #) 1:00 p.m. Saturday
Ugliest Car Contest – Car Crushing
Sponsored by Aachen Auto
Robotics Team Noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Competition & Exhibit
Freighthouse Café Exhibit Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Freighthouse Happy Hour 5 – 9 p.m. Friday
Jazz, Wine & Specialty Beer Fundraiser
Vintage Motorcycle Exhibit Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Sponsored by Café Racer
The Depot Town Jamboree Music Stage
Friday
Joe Somebody 6:00 - 6:50
The Blue Rubys 7:15- 8:00
The Latin Love Baskets 8:30- 9:45
Soundhound 10:10- 11
Manhole 11:15-12:00
Saturday
The Bearded Ladies 2:00 -3:00
Dragon Wagon 3:15 - 4:30
Black Jack on Pluto 4:00:00 - 4:50
The October Babies 5:10- 6:00
AM Satchel Jones 6:15- 7:15
Big Slik 7:40 - 8:40
Dragon Wagon 9:00 - 10:30
Dr Awesome 11:00- 12:00