Detroit Free Press

Earth Day events, a restaurant week and ... Zoo Poo? 5 things to do

- Brendel Hightower Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This weekend in metro Detroit offers a variety of activities, from Earth Day events and volunteer opportunit­ies for a cleaner, greener Earth to mouthwater­ing culinary experience­s in Dearborn. You can also check out an ecofriendl­y event at the Detroit Zoo or explore the grounds of the Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. For book lovers, there’s a chance to grab some gently used books in Rochester.

Here are five things to do for the weekend of April 19-21.

Ford House Community Appreciati­on Day

Enjoy the beauty of this National Historic Landmark where visitors can explore the grounds of Ford House and immerse themselves in its rich history. Guests can stroll through gardens, visit The Shop for unique gifts, explore exhibition­s in the Visitor Center, and more.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. Admission is free, but registrati­on is recommende­d. Visitors can choose either a free House & Grounds Pass, which grants admission to the property and a self-paced exploratio­n of the Main residence, or a free Grounds Pass, for those who want to enjoy the grounds and gardens. Visit Ford House to register.

Detroit Zoo Greenfest

Consumers Energy is hosting an event featuring live music by local artists, a selection of eco-friendly food trucks, a sustainabl­e marketplac­e, interactiv­e activities, photo opportunit­ies, and more. The first 250 groups to enter the zoo on each event date will take home a gallon bucket of Zoo Poo - compost created from waste collected at the zoo including manure, bedding and food waste perfect to grow your garden or plant paradise.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; regular Zoo hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Greenfest admission is included with Detroit Zoo entry ticket.

Dearborn Restaurant Week

This 10-day event will showcase more than 25 restaurant­s and promote the diverse culinary experience­s Dearborn has to offer with prix fixe price points.

Friday through April 28 in Dearborn. Visit Dearborn Restaurant Week for participat­ing restaurant­s.

Community Cleanup events across Detroit

In honor of celebratin­g Earth Day, the Detroit Parks Coalition is calling for volunteers to participat­e in a series of cleanup events held by seven member organizati­ons. These events will offer a range of activities including a tree to take home to plant for the first 50 volunteers at one location. There’ll be lunch, art, live music and more.

Here are details for each location: h 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Eliza Howell Park, 23751 Fenkell. Register at eventbrite.

h 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Dequindre Cut Greenway .Register at eventbrite.

h 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at Rouge Park, 8886 Lahser Road. Register at therouge.org.

h 9:30 a.m. Monday at O’Hair Park, 19800

Pembroke.

h 10 a.m.-noon Monday at Chandler Park, 12831 Frankfort.

h 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 27 at Belle Isle, outside the Belle Isle Aquarium, 3 Inselruhe Ave. Sign up at Belle Isle Conservanc­y.

h 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27 at Palmer Park, 910 Merrill Plaisance. Sign up at eventbrite.

Spring Book Sale

The Friends of Rochester Hills Public Library will host a spring book sale featuring gently used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, puzzles and games.

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester.

 ?? PROVIDED BY THE FORD HOUSE ?? Exterior of the Ford House located on the shore of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores.
PROVIDED BY THE FORD HOUSE Exterior of the Ford House located on the shore of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores.

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