Getting into the swing of spring

GROSSE POINTE CITY — Main Street Grosse Pointe is hoping to ace April by introducing a new event aimed at families and people of all ages.

Main Street Grosse Pointe will host Main Street Mini Masters, an 18-hole miniature golf tournament, in The Village April 6.

“We received a lot of feedback that people wanted family-friendly events,” Main Street Grosse Pointe Executive Director Cindy Willcock said. “They wanted adult-friendly events.”

They also wanted weekend events, and the miniature golf tournament is scheduled for a Saturday, filling that need, Willcock said.

The Grosse Pointe City Council unanimously voted in favor of allowing the event during a meeting Feb. 12.

“It sounds great,” City Councilman Dave Fries said.

Because the event will take place along Kercheval Avenue, Kercheval will be closed to traffic between Neff and Cadieux roads from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. April 6. However, parking lots and The Village parking garage will remain accessible via side streets.

Golfing isn’t the only activity taking place that day. Posterity Art & Framing Gallery will have a Junior Duffers Tent featuring golf-themed activities for kids of all ages, Ridge Crest Outfitters will offer a Clubhouse Tent (Junior Edition) with music by DJ LaDynasty, and there will be a selfie station and 19th hole serving up more fun.

“I think it’s a great idea, just to get people out in the beginning of spring,” Grosse Pointe City Councilman Seth Krupp said Feb. 12.

Willcock said they’re trying to create new activities and wanted to offer something in the spring because there was “a big gap in programs” between the holidays and the Music on the Plaza summer concert series.

“It offers us a really good opportunity to promote The Loop and the social district,” said Willcock of the designated outdoor areas where Village restaurant and bar patrons can take their alcoholic beverages outside and stroll while sipping.

It’s an opportunity to introduce visitors to the many retailers and new businesses in The Village as well.

“Spring in the Pointes is the best time of the year,” Anne Murphy, owner of Apple Blossom Baby and Mini Masters event co-chair, said in a press release. “As a small business owner, I look forward to the increased foot traffic and exposure events like this bring to The Village and our businesses.”

Family tickets — which include golf for four players, four lunch tickets for hot dogs, chips and pop from SideStreet Diner and a family swag bag — cost $40 now and $50 after March 23. Adult group tickets — which include golf for four adults, four lunch tickets, four Loop social district drink tickets for beer, wine or seltzer, and individual swag bags for each adult — cost $80 now and $100 after March 23. Space is limited, so those who’d like to participate are urged to register as soon as possible. People can also register in person at Skye Salon, Apple Blossom Baby and Ridge Crest Outfitters in The Village.

“It’s open to anybody,” Willcock said. “We want to make it as affordable as possible.”

Any revenues raised by the tournament will be applied toward future Village events, she said.

Organizers also planned to establish a rain date, should the weather be inclement April 6, but the rain date hadn’t been set at press time.

“We definitely will have a rain date,” said Willcock, adding that it would be announced closer to the Mini Masters date.

To register or for more information, visit thevillagegrossepointe.org or call (313) 886-7474.