Mardi Gras on the riverfront, chili cookoff: 5 things to do this weekend in metro Detroit

Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read

Warm up with a cup of chili or a march along the Detroit River in a Mardi Gras parade this weekend as winter celebrations continue across the region.

Ice skating, ice sculptures and a cookoff are among the attractions in the various outdoor festivals planned.

Winter Blast is back in Royal Oak, a Winter Wonderland in Trenton, Mardi Gras at Valade along the Riverfront in downtown Detroit are just a few events to check out the weekend of Feb. 17:

Winter Blast Royal Oak

This annual festival event presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will feature live music, ice skating, ice sculptures, ski/snowboard experiences, a zip line, food trucks, kid’s adventure zone, free family activities in a heated warming tent and strolling performances from Detroit Circus.

Renee Guzman-Chang of Detroit holds daughter Soraya as she toasts a marshmallow at the Winter Blast festival in Royal Oak.
Renee Guzman-Chang of Detroit holds daughter Soraya as she toasts a marshmallow at the Winter Blast festival in Royal Oak.

4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday in downtown Royal Oak City Center. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for children 12 and younger, seniors 59 and older and military/first responders. Skate rental is $5.

Winter Wonderland at Elizabeth Park

Activities at this family event will include hayrides, crafts, bonfire with s’mores, outdoor dance party, ice carving demos, rock climbing, hikes led by Wayne County Naturalists, indoor nature presentations, winter waterfowl program on the riverwalk and more.

Gracie Elliott, 11, left, Larrisa Barnes, her daughter Aeris Barnes, 14, and son Jett Barnes 11, on a hay ride.
Gracie Elliott, 11, left, Larrisa Barnes, her daughter Aeris Barnes, 14, and son Jett Barnes 11, on a hay ride.

1-4 p.m. Saturday at Elizabeth Park, 4461 Elizabeth Drive in Trenton.

Winterfest 2023 at The Mall at Partridge Creek

There will be ice carvers, face painting, free blood pressure checks, music by Geff Phillips & Friends Band, a magic show, crafts, a meet and greet and autograph signing session with Detroit Red Wings alum Danny De Keyser and several stores and restaurants will offer special, one-day-only deals for this winter event.

Stevie Miller, 6, gets her face painted by Clarissa Summers, a volunteer at the Taylor School District tent at Heritage Park, during the 175th Anniversary of Taylor on Aug 6, 2022.
Stevie Miller, 6, gets her face painted by Clarissa Summers, a volunteer at the Taylor School District tent at Heritage Park, during the 175th Anniversary of Taylor on Aug 6, 2022.

12-4 p.m. Saturday at The Mall at Partridge Creek at 17420 Hall in Clinton Township.

Mardi Gras at Valade

Enjoy a Caribbean Carnival and a New Orleans style Mardi Gras with Carnival outfits, big heads, steel pan drums, second line parades and more at this event sponsored by Souring Eagle Casino & Resort along the Detroit Riverfront.

An Aretha Franklin paper-mache head and a toucan head from the Parade Company dance to music during the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's Winter at Valade Mardi Gras celebration at Robert C. Valade Park in Detroit on Feb. 26, 2022.
An Aretha Franklin paper-mache head and a toucan head from the Parade Company dance to music during the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's Winter at Valade Mardi Gras celebration at Robert C. Valade Park in Detroit on Feb. 26, 2022.

There will also be food trucks, crafts, Punch & Judy puppet show, juggler Tim Salisbury, Jester Randyl Lee magic show, live music and more.

4-9 p.m. Friday, 12-9 p.m. Saturday and 12-6 p.m. Sunday at Valade Park, 2670 E. Atwater in Detroit.

Blake’s 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off Competition

This family-friendly event will offer chili samples, live music, games, hard cider and craft beer.

Chili samples being served at Blake’s 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off Competition.
Chili samples being served at Blake’s 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off Competition.

1-4 p.m. Saturday at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill at 17985 Armada Center in Armada. Admission is $22 in advance, $27 at the door. Children 2 years and younger are free. Tickets include a logo pint glass, a pint of hard cider or craft beer, unlimited chili samples and more.

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: Mardi Gras on the riverfront, chili cookoff: 5 things to do in Detroit