Earth Day events and helicopter tours: 5 things to do this weekend in metro Detroit

Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press
·4 min read

Earth Day is Saturday, and volunteers will partake in a wide range of events at state parks and in communities throughout metro Detroit to protect the planet from things like pollution, deforestation and more.

Other events taking place this weekend: a gathering of book lovers for one of the largest media sales events in the area with more than 400,000 items to help fund literacy and education projects in Michigan; foodies can enjoy exclusive offerings at restaurants in Royal Oak; kids will get a chance to sit in fire trucks and other big rigs, and sightseers can get a birds-eye view of downtown Detroit with helicopter tours.

Here are a few things to do for the weekend of April 21.

Bookstock

This weeklong event, known as one of the area's largest book and media sales in metro Detroit, will include more than 400,000 gently used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape and vinyl for sale at bargain prices. There will also be a rare book collection and a special selections section. New merchandise will be added daily.

Bookstock
Bookstock

The nonprofit annual event in its 19th year has raised more than $2.5 million for literacy and education projects in Michigan.

Bookstock’s pre-sale kick-off will start at 8:15 a.m. Sunday with a performance from Detroit's Renaissance High School Marching Band. There’s a $20 admission charge for the pre-sale only, which runs through 11 a.m.

Teacher Appreciation Days will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-7 p.m., offering teachers 50% off. Pocket Paperback Palooza will take place April 29, offering 12 pocket paperbacks for $5 and on April 30, all books and media will be sold at 50% off.

All nonprofits that bring a letter confirming their 501(c)(3) status can take remaining books from the sale from 9 a.m.-noon May 1.

Bookstock runs April 23-30 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, Laurel Park Mall at Six Mile and Newburgh roads in Livonia. Free admission.

Eat Royal Downtown Restaurant Week

This event hosted by the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority will feature unique and exclusive menu offerings and giveaways from more than 20 participating restaurants and cafes.

A couple chats on the patio of Fifth Avenue, which is one of the participating locations for Eat Royal Downtown Restaurant week.
A couple chats on the patio of Fifth Avenue, which is one of the participating locations for Eat Royal Downtown Restaurant week.

Enter to win a $1,000 Downtown Dollars eGift card (usable at more than 75 downtown businesses), for every meal you enjoy as part of the Eat Royal event experience.

The event takes place April 20-29 in downtown Royal Oak. Go to Eat Royal for a list of participating locations.

Oakland County Earth Day March and Rally

Learn about sustainability while having fun at this Earth Fair that will include a climate march, a rally with keynote speakers, live music and more than 50 booths.

People from metro Detroit join together for a climate march.
People from metro Detroit join together for a climate march.

Speakers will include former U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, state Rep. Helena Scott and several other public officials.

Musical acts will include Detroit Celtic Revival, Detroit Party Marching Band and folk musician Judy Insley.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Commons Park on Troy Street in Royal Oak.

Touch-A-Truck

Visitors can see what it is like to sit in the driver’s seat of big rigs and talk with the people who operate them at this event that will allow kids of all ages to get up close and personal with vehicles used to get work done. The event is presented by the Southfield Parks and Recreation Department, Southfield Police Department, Southfield Fire Department and Southfield Department of Public Works.

Firefighter shows children the equipment on the firetruck during a "Touch the Truck" event.
Firefighter shows children the equipment on the firetruck during a "Touch the Truck" event.

Drones demonstrations, police K-9 units, a ladder truck, ambulances, a "smoke house" display, tech rescue and hazmat operations, a road grader, bucket truck, street sweeper, tow trucks and more will be included.

The Mean Weenie and Sherry’s Ice Cream Cart will offer refreshments for purchase.

The first hour of the event will be sensory-sensitive with no flashing lights or loud noises and have quiet zones away from the action.

1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Southfield Municipal Campus' north parking lot, 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield.

Detroit Helicopter Tours

Enjoy a helicopter sightseeing tour by MyFlight Tours and see views of the city from above. Passengers will be able to see landmarks like the Motor City Casino, The Renaissance Center, Detroit’s sports stadiums and more.

MyFlight helicopter tour of downtown Detroit.
MyFlight helicopter tour of downtown Detroit.

A variety of tour packages are available including Downtown Detroit Quick Hop, The Ambassador Bridge Tour, Skyline Tour or Big D Tour.

Rides take off from the Detroit City Airport at 11499 Conner in Detroit. Reservations are recommended and must be completed online prior to arrival. Three person maximum. Tickets start at $55 per person.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. To subscribe, go to freep.com/specialoffer.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Earth Day events, helicopter tours: 5 things to do in metro Detroit