By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — Although the calendar says summer doesn’t begin for another month, Trenton Parks and Recreation Director Joann Gonyea said the season is practically under way.
Annual events to usher in the summer months begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with the traditional Memorial Day Parade along West Road, complete with color guards, veterans, community groups, bands and floats.
Summer traditions continues as always at Elizabeth Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. June 5 with the annual Nursery School Olympics games for pre-schoolers, which typically introduces more than 100 toddlers to the park and outdoor fun.
Parks and Recreation staff are also reminding residents that season passes are available for the Kennedy Outdoor Aquatic Center, 3101 West Road. Opening day will be June 14, and Trenton Swim Club punch-cards and passes are available at a 20 percent discount to residents until Friday. Passes are offered by season, as punch cards for 10 visits, or individually. Swim lessons are also available. Go to the Parks and Recreation website (www.trentonmi.org) for more information.
Perhaps the keynote event for the season will be the annual Summer Festival, “Where Summer Begins” being this year’s theme, beginning with a preview night, Sample of Summer, at 6 p.m. June 26 at locations throughout downtown. Entry to the preview will be $20 — $15 at the door — and visitors can enjoy wine and beer tastings, food from local restaurants and the country sounds of Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band from 8 to 10 p.m.
Beginning June 27 to 29, downtown hosts the Summer Festival which includes a full compliment of activities and music for every taste.
Among the musical acts confirmed for the festival are Remedy Detroit, The Mega 80s — featuring Mega-Vision vintage TV clips — Rio and the Rockabilly Revival, The Rockets, Benny and the Jets and more.
Gonyea said this year’s festival includes an expanded arts and crafts display and new food vendors throughout downtown. For information on the Festival go to www.trenton-summerfestival.org or call 734-675-7300.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)