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MADISON HEIGHTS — Two events, each run by a volunteer board, will take place this month in Madison Heights, promising free fun for the whole family.
First up is Revin’ in the Heights, a two-in-one car show and barbecue competition by the city’s Human Relations and Equity Commission, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the parking lot at Civic Center Complex, 300 W. 13 Mile Road. The fire station in the same plaza will host an open house the same day.
One week later, the fifth annual Trail Tunes will be held right next door at Civic Center Park. The strolling outdoor music festival, run by the city’s Arts Board, will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.
The festival will open with the ribbon-cutting on the new bandshell, funded in part by a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. Trail Tunes will conclude with the Battle of the Bands on the same stage, where the audience will decide the winner. The first-place band will take home $1,000 while the runner-up gets $500. Last year’s champion, The Aspersions, will play the opening set during the bandshell’s ribbon-cutting.
Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem of Madison Heights, started Trail Tunes as a safe way to enjoy a concert during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. He serves as event co-chair alongside Arts Board member Vita Palazzolo. Bliss is also the founder of the Arts Board.
He said attendees can once again look forward to musicians performing along the park trail. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets if they want to sit and watch, or meander freely between performers. Attendees can also support the musicians by tipping or buying their merchandise.
“We’re running the same type of alternating sets as before. So at any given time, there will be a half-dozen musicians playing around the park,” Bliss said. “If you like jazz, you can set up shop and alternate between our two jazz bands. Or if you like classic rock, The Aspersions are perfect for you. We have some funk bands mixed in, some Top 40s — something for everyone. This festival is all about music, and was born during the pandemic when there was no music.
“The fact we’re hitting our fifth Trail Tunes is incredible. It’s such a big undertaking,” he added. “We’ve had many members of the Arts Board during that time. It’s an awesome testament to volunteerism in the city, but also to the power of music and events like these, and how important they are to the community.”
Bliss noted that Trail Tunes was the first recurring board event of its kind in Madison Heights, managed entirely by volunteers and funded wholly by donations. Revin’ in the Heights, by the HREC, will be the latest.
Quinn Wright, a member of the City Council who serves as a rep on the HREC, said the event is shaping up well. The car show is slated to feature a variety of classic and modern cars exhibited by local enthusiasts, while the cooking competition will see chefs grilling meats that will be evaluated by a panel of judges.
Food trucks will offer plenty to eat and drink, and there will also be live raffles, family-friendly activities, an awards presentation and more. The open house at nearby Fire Station No. 1 will also afford visitors a chance to meet firefighters and see the facilities and equipment up close.
“The point of this event is bringing community together around culture, and what better way to learn about culture than by experiencing it in different ways,” Wright said. “Like growing up in Detroit, car culture is part of who we are, and now we can showcase the best of it, with personalities you can see through their rides. And then cooking culture, where you can see the influences of each person’s background and share in it. It all brings us together, and gives us an opportunity to learn about each other at an individual level and a cultural level.”
Bliss, Wright, and the rest of the City Council approved the bandshell that will make its grand debut during Trail Tunes. The grant-funded project is expected to see use beyond city events as well, with it potentially being available to local schools and even theater groups for presentations such as Shakespeare in the park.
“With this being the fifth year of Trail Tunes, it’s the perfect time to come out and experience this unique festival,” Bliss said. “And this will be the first time our bandshell is ever used in our city. What a cool way to experience your first Trail Tunes.”
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