By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — With summer time around the corner, the 32nd annual Spirit Festival is approaching in Dearborn Heights with a new theme, but the same classic rides and activities.
The festival 2018 festival’s theme is “Saluting The ’68 Tigers — 50 Years as Champions” to celebrate the 1968 World Series champions.
From June 6 to 11 the Canfield Community Center, 1801 N. Beech Daly Road, will be filled with amusement rides, entertainment, food, a softball challenge, community service club night and more.
Some of the major attractions are bands Larry Lee & Back in the Days who perform top 40 dance music from the ’80s to present; Toppermost, a Beatles tribute band; and Teen Angels who will perform a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tribute.
The bands will place on June 8 at 7 p.m., June 9 at 7 p.m. and June 10 at 7 p.m. respectively.
The Police Department will take on the Fire Department in at softball game at 7 p.m. June 8 at Central Park field. Military Appreciation Day June 9 will be expanded to include First Responders Day.
Mayor Daniel Paletko will host the annual Mayor’s Walk at 7 p.m. June 7, with registration at 6:30 p.m. at the main entertainment tent. A free festival T-shirt will be given to the first 100 entrants.
The 26th annual Taste of the Heights food fest will feature food from local restaurants from 5 to 6 p.m. June 8. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3.
During this year’s Community Night on June 7, bands from local schools will show off their skills.
The Divine Child High School chorus, pom pon squad and jazz band will perform from 5 p.m. to 6:25 p.m., the Robichaud High School drum line will perform at 7 p.m., followed by the Annapolis High School cheerleaders and jazz band starting at 7:40 p.m.
The Spirit Fest will continue to feature an amusement ride midway with daily pay-one-price passes each day. The annual sneak preview night will take place from 4 to 11 p.m. June 6. The day pass cost is $14.
A day pass on June 7 is $18, $20 on June 8 and $25 each for June 9 and 10.
Rides will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. June 7, 3 to 10 p.m. June 8, and noon to 10 p.m. June 9 and 10.
For more information on the festival call the Parks & Recreation Department at 313-791-3600 from 8:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)