An opportunity to bat at the old Tiger Stadium site: 5 things to do this weekend
Metro Detroit is buzzing with excitement as it gears up for a thrilling weekend ahead. With the Detroit Tigers Opening Day on Friday and a highly anticipated solar eclipse expected Monday, there’s also a lineup of other exciting events in between.
Livonia will host one of the largest used book and media sales in the region, while the Michigan Science Center welcome visitors for a free day of exploration. Additionally, Eastern Market in Detroit will offer the chance to shop with over 200 small local businesses, adding to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Here are five things to do for the weekend of April 5-7.
Official Detroit Tigers Opening Day Tailgate Party
This free public event produced by the Downtown Detroit Partnership will feature a Miller Lite beer tent, food trucks, ticket giveaways, photo opportunities, games, music, special appearances by Detroit Tigers alumni, Detroit Tigers Energy Squad, Paws and a wall of TV screens to watch the Tigers vs. Oakland A’s matchup.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday at Grand Circus Park (steps away from Comerica Park) at 101-157 Witherell St. in Detroit.
Swing For The Fences
This third annual event by Detroit PAL will give participants the chance to bat at The Corner Ballpark (historic Tiger Stadium site) before heading to the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day.
For $10, fans will receive 10 swings, with all proceeds to benefit PAL programming. Anyone who manages to drive a ball over the fence will receive a commemorative “Ground from the
Mound” collectible, while supplies last.
Baseball fans can watch the Tigers take on the Athletics on the ballpark scoreboard. The game will be shown in its entirety and is free to attend. Additionally, there will be food trucks on-site for refreshments.
Batting from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and game starts at 1:10 p.m. Friday at The Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Avenue in Detroit.
Bookstock
The area’s largest used book and media sale will celebrate 20 years of “supporting the need to read,” offering nearly 400,000 gently used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape and vinyl for sale.
The pre-sale will run from 8:15-11 a.m. Sunday with a performance by the Ukaladies and the Bookstock parade of volunteers. There will be a $25 admission charge for the pre-sale only.
In honor of Bookstock’s 20th year, shoppers are invited to bring a Bookstock bag from a previous year to the sale Monday-Friday and receive 20% off their entire purchase. Teacher Appreciation Days will be Tuesday and Wednesday giving 50% off to all teachers from 2-7 p.m. A Pocket Paperback Palooza will offer a dozen pocket paperbacks for $10, and all books will be sold at 50% off on April 14 at the Grand Finale. On April 15 from 9 a.m.-noon, all nonprofits that bring a letter confirming their 501c3 status, can take remaining books from the sale.
New merchandise is added to the floor daily. All proceeds will benefit literacy and education projects throughout metro Detroit and beyond.
The sale runs April 7-14 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday- Saturday at Laurel Park Place on 6 Mile Road in Livonia.
Community Free Day at the Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center and Axalta
Coating Systems will host a Community Free day with special programming that will focus on space exploration and astronomy, and Axalta will feature its 2024 Global Automotive Color of the Year, “Starry Night.”
Other activities and exhibits will include: Lego Build the Change, Astronomy Science demonstrations, Astronaut Tools challenge, National Informal STEM Education Network Space Activities, Telescope assembly, Sphero Robots, Mobile Activity Stations and more.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday at the Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St. in Detroit.
All Things Detroit at Eastern Market
All Things Detroit will celebrate 10 years of boosting small businesses with more than 200 local makers, artists, designers, entertainment, food trucks and more at this local shopping experience that will also include interactive experiences and many one-of-a-kind goods at Detroit’s historic Eastern Market.
Beat the Crowd tickets, available for $10 online, in advance only, will offer ticketholders the opportunity to enter and shop early from 10 a.m.noon and guests will receive a complimentary All Things Detroit tote bag.
General admission is noon-5 p.m. Sunday at 2934 Russell St. in Detroit, in sheds 3, 4 and 5. $5 general admission tickets are sold at the door only.