By EVELYN CAIRNS
Southgate will kick off the summer festival season Downriver with its annual Heritage Days celebration June 12 to 15.
The fun will start with a carnival at the city’s municipal complex, Dix-Toledo Road at Reaume Parkway. Arm bands offering unlimited rides will cost $20. The bands can be ordered for $14 online at www.southgatemi.org through June 1.
Two of the most popular festival events, the 1-mile Mayor’s Walk and the certified 4-mile walk or jog, will get under way at 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., respectively, on June 13.
The traditional parade will start at 11 a.m. June 14 at St. Pius Catholic Church, 14101 Superior, followed by a Taste of the Town, featuring the specialties of local restaurants and caterers.
Applications for participation in the lineup will be available until June 2 at the city offices, 14400 Dix-Toledo, or by calling 734-246-1414.
Additional weekend attractions will include an arts and crafts show, a Kid-O-Lympics with medal presentations, inflatable playscapes, a car show and a poker tent.
Musical entertainment will be provided from 7 to 11 p.m. June 13 by the Killer Flamingos. Performing on June 14 will be Little Davey & the Diplomats, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Boogie DynOmite, 6 to 9 p.m.; and the Mega 80’s, 9 p.m. to midnight.
A fireworks display is scheduled for June 14.
In conjunction with the celebration, the fifth annual Heritage Cup Charity Golf 4-Player Scramble will be held June 7 at the South Winds Golf Club, 14600 Reaume Parkway. Proceeds will provide scholarships for Southgate high school students.
The entry fee is $60 per person or $240 per team. The winning team will receive $200 and trophies. In addition, the name of the team will be inscribed on a clubhouse plaque.
A limited number of carts will be available; the deadline for payment is June 3.
Included in the entry fee are greens fees, a hole-in-one contest, two drink tickets, a catered lunch and drawings for prizes. Chris Grandy is accepting registrations at the golf course or at by telephone at 734-258-3004.
Food program award given
The Taylor Information Center Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to the staff of the Taylor Food Connections Program during a recent luncheon at Hungarian Rhapsody restaurant in Southgate.
The program, which is affiliated with the TIC, recognizes a person or group that has given time or talents to enhance the community.
An estimated 5,500 Downriver families have been served with nearly $30,000 in food items by the Connections Program, a TIC spokesman said.
The staff selflessly supports neighbors and complete strangers, not just with food items, but with smiles, hugs and kind words, he said.
TIC President and CEO Edward d’Angelo added, “Our volunteers are an integral part of our organization. We could not provide the same level of community support without them.”
Coming up . . .
May 29 —Mediterranean buffet featuring the cuisines of Italy, Greece and southern France, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henry Ford College Fifty-One O One student-run restaurant; $14 per person; for reservations, call 313-206-5101.
May 30-June 1 — Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix; May 30 is “Free Prix Day,” with no-charge access to the track and paddock; tickets for races on May 31 and June 1 will start at $35; for tickets or more information, go to www.detroitgp.com/.
May 30-June 1 — WYCD Downtown Hoedown on the grounds surrounding Comerica Park; performers will include Kellie Pickler, “Dancing with the Stars” Season 16 champion and country music entertainer, who will be among more than 20 country music artists and local bands appearing; three-day tickets are sold out, but individual tickets, $29.95, will be available at the gate; a portion of ticket sales will benefit the Defeat the Label charity, which promotes a bully-free society.
June 6-8 — St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church Festival at 900 Laurence and Wick Road, Allen Park; midway, ethnic food, games, live music, bingo, horseshoe tournament and other attractions; for more information, call 313-381-5601 or go to www.cabrinifestival.com.