Fall festival set for District Detroit with urban pumpkin patch, activities: What to know
Like Cinderella's carriage, District Detroit is turning into everything pumpkin.
Starting Thursday, the Columbia Street Fall Festival kicks off with pumpkin-inspired foods, drinks, activities and more at nearby restaurants and businesses.
The festival, which runs through Nov. 13, is an urban pumpkin patch experience, with games, fall decor, food and beverage specials, and activities. No tickets are required for entry.
"Columbia Street’s pedestrian-friendly brick walkway, festive lighting, and welcoming ambiance make it the perfect gathering place before or after a game, concert, or show in the heart of The District Detroit,” said Keith Bradford, president of Olympia Development of Michigan and The District Detroit, in a written statement. “Together with our wonderful restaurant partners — JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly, and Frita Batidos Detroit — we’re transforming the area into an unforgettable Fall Fest experience for residents and visitors alike.”
The owner of JoJo's ShakeBAR, Robbie Schloss, said this is the first year the event has taken place and will feature many activities for families.
More:Trunk-or-treat: Taking a look at the alternative Halloween trend
More:Halloween 2022: Your guide to haunted houses, attractions in Michigan
Activities
Walking along Columbia Street will provide seasonal photo opportunities. Hundred of pumpkins will line the corridor accented with hay bales, cornstalks, fresh flowers and other decor items for a perfect picture.
On select dates throughout the festival, there will be live music, hot chocolate, cider carts, a farm stand and interactive activities including a pumpkin painting station, inflatable ax throwing and bobbing for apples.
"We have a farm stand, kind of general store about halfway down the street, selling caramel apples and pies, and sunflowers," Schloss said.
Participating restaurants
JoJo's ShakeBAR, which opened on Sept. 24 , is offering specials like the Pumpkin Patch Biggie Shake, apple pie slices, and homemade taffy apples. Specialty cocktails also are on the menu. JoJo's also is crafting some specialty spirits for the event, such as a Caramel Apple Mule, Witches Brew, Pumpkin Spiked Latte, and more.
JoJo's ShakeBar, 88 W. Columbia St, Detroit, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
"We do a pumpkin patch at our JoJos locations in Illinois, Chicago, and Naperville," Schloss said. "And we thought instead of just doing our patio, be fun to do something for the whole street. So we've been working with Olympia Development, and today's the first day of the install and we'll be done by tomorrow and took over the whole street to do one massive fall festival."
Union Assemblyis offering a rotating list of Michigan-sourced ciders as well as hand-crafted fall cocktails while being decked out in fall decor.
Union Assembly, 2131 Woodward, is open 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday. During Detroit Lions home games on Sundays, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Frita Batidos typically sells Cuban-inspired street food like Cuban burgers, milkshakes, plantains and cocktails. For the fall festival, they are offering hot apple cider, with or without a splash of dark rum, autumn-spiced mini churros, Mocha Cubano with or without Spaulding coffee liquor and more.
Frita Batidos, 66 W. Columbia, is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Parking
117 W. Columbia Lot, a 3-minute walk from JoJo's ShakeBAR
168 W. Columbia Lot, a 4-minute walk from Union Assembly
Location
Columbia Street is located in the District Detroit next to the Fox Theatre and between Woodward Avenue and Park Avenue.
Free Press photographer Sarahbeth Maney contributed.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Columbia Street Fall Festival set for District Detroit Oct. 6-Nov. 13
