Cookie science, tattoo expo, last skate at Campus Martius: 5 things to do in metro Detroit

Girl Scout cookie baking demonstrations at the Michigan Science Center; the last weekend to ice skate at Campus Martius Park; hundreds of tattoo artists downtown, and a gathering of celebrities in Livonia — just a few reasons to venture out this weekend in metro Detroit.

Here is a list of things to do for the weekend of March 3.

The Rink at Campus Martius Park

This is the final weekend to hit the ice at The Rink at Campus Martius Park, the downtown Detroit park recently named the No. 1 public square in the country in a USA Today reader vote. The rink closes for the season after this weekend.

In a show of support for the Spartan community, all current Michigan State University students will receive free skate admission with a valid student ID through the final day of the skating season on Sunday.

More:Detroit Riverwalk, Campus Martius named best public spaces in America

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 12-8 p.m. Sunday at 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Tickets and skate rentals are $12 for adults; $9 for children 12 and younger and seniors 59+; active military and first responders are $8. Skate rental is $6.

Astronomicon 6

This pop culture convention will feature well-known figures in comics, toys, horror, wrestling and film.

A unique Clerks III reunion will be highlighted, with special appearances by Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith). Other Clerks III stars to appear include: Brian O’Halloran (Dante), Trevor Fehrman (Elias), Harley Quinn Smith (Milly), Austin Zajur (Blockchain Coltrane) and Ming Chen (Hockey Player).

Other celebrity appearances will include Doug Bradley (HellRaiser and Nightbreed), Quinn Lord (Trick or Treat), Dirk Manning (Comic Book Writer), rap-metal duo Twiztid and Ricky Dean Logan (Back to the Future 2 and Nightmare on Elm Street 4).

5-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Burton Manor, 27777 Schoolcraft Road in Livonia. Tickets are $30; Children 6-12 years old are $15 for the weekend; children under 5 are free.

Winter Fest 2023

This free community event hosted by the Southfield Parks and Recreation Department will feature indoor and outdoor fun for the entire family. Guests can enjoy free ice skating, a rope course and climbing wall, horse-drawn carriage rides and marshmallow roasting.

The Southfield Police Department and Southfield Public Library will be inside offering crafts and information for kids and adults.

2-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield.

Science of the Cookie at the Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan have teamed up for cookie season for a series of scientific demonstrations. Michigan Science Center educators, edibleWOW and Girl Scouts representatives will explore the science behind baking cookies and lead hands-on activities for visitors.

There will be demos on the science behind baking salted brown chocolate chip cookies and a guessing game for people to guess what ingredient went wrong using "cookie fails," among other things.

In addition to the science demonstrations, Girl Scout troops will sell cookies in the Michigan Science Center lobby every weekend through April 9.

Enter the Cookie Lovers contest online and vote for your favorite Girl Scout cookie flavor every day in March for a chance to win prizes.

March 4 through April 9 each weekend at the Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R in Detroit. Ticket prices are $18 for adults; $14 for kids and seniors and free for children under 2 (more info here).

27th Annual Motor City Tattoo Expo

More than 300 tattoo artists from around the world, seminars and contests will be at this expo presented by Eternal Ink.

March 3-5 at the Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Center Drive in Detroit. A one day pass is $30, two day pass is $50, and a three day pass is $70. Children under 12 are free.

Bonus event:

Michigan Golf Show

This consumer golf show kicks off the golf season by highlighting hundreds of exhibitors, retailers, resorts, travel destinations and hands-on activities to prepare for the season.

There will be golf contests, including a $10,000 putting competition sponsored by Garland Lodge & Golf Resort, free junior lessons involving the hitting nets at designated times and more.

2-7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River in Novi. Admission prices are $12 for adults; children 12 and younger are free.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Last skate at Campus Martius: 5 things to do in metro Detroit