A disc golf course opened last year at Ghesquiere Park in Grosse Pointe Woods. The sport, which is played in all seasons, will be part of this year’s Winter Fest activities.
By: K. Michelle Moran | Grosse Pointe Times | Published January 8, 2025
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Grosse Pointe Woods is kicking off its 75th anniversary year with an annual event designed to chase the January blahs away.
An estimated 600 to 800 Woods residents and their guests are expected for Winter Fest, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Ghesquiere Park, behind the Woods City Hall complex. During a Jan. 6 Woods City Council meeting, City Councilwoman Angela Coletti Brown — the council liaison to the Citizens’ Recreation Commission — said this event has been going on for about the last seven years. The Citizens’ Recreation Commission organizes Winter Fest.
“This will be a big event,” Coletti Brown said after the meeting. “And it’s really the first public event in the anniversary year.”
Every year, she said, there’s a theme. This year, that theme is local sports, and in conjunction with that, Coletti Brown said attendees can expect to see mascots from many local teams, including the Detroit Lions, Tigers and Pistons. With the Lions having a thrilling season, the visit from mascot Roary is likely to generate a lot of interest from football fans.
Coletti Brown said they’ll have a dance party in a heated tent, pony rides, a petting zoo, outdoor games and a photo booth. In addition, there will be disc golf demonstrations at the new disc golf course at Ghesquiere Park. Mayor Arthur Bryant said anyone hoping to play a round of disc golf should bring their own discs with them.
In keeping with the city’s anniversary, a limited number of disc golf flying discs with the city’s 75th anniversary logo will be handed out to Winter Fest visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Coletti Brown said the city does a giveaway each year, and these gifts have become highly coveted collectors’ items among residents.
According to the city’s website, the Woods first incorporated in 1927 as the Village of Lochmoor. The Village of Lochmoor was renamed the Village of Grosse Pointe Woods in 1939. It became the City of Grosse Pointe Woods when it incorporated as a city on Dec. 11, 1950 — the year voters approved the city’s original charter.
“Winter Fest is one of the most exciting events that we do in the city every year,” Bryant said after the meeting.
It’s also award-winning. In 2019, the Citizens’ Recreation Commission was given the Community Service Award from the Michigan Parks and Recreation Association for the revamped and expanded festival, a successor to the city’s former Chili Fest.
Coletti Brown said three of the most popular local food trucks — The Little Donut Factory, Cult of the Joe Burger and Outdoor Pizza On Site — will be serving up their specialties in food and beverages.
While Winter Fest has fun for all ages, it’s especially popular with families, organizers say.
“I hope to see everyone there,” Coletti Brown said at the meeting.
Winter Fest is free, except for food and beverages. For more information, visit www.gpwmi.us.
“Winter Fest is a wonderful way to start out your winter recreation season,” Bryant said.