Troy Family Daze to feature its first parade

TROY — From Sept. 12-15, community members can enjoy a wide variety of family-friendly events and entertainment during 2024 Troy Family Daze.

The event is hosted annually by the Troy Community Foundation and has been going on in Troy since 1968, and 2024 is their 54th year. Proceeds from the festival go toward spring and fall TCF community grants. Last year, TCF was able to provide a $100,000 check to the city for the new performing arts stage at the Jeanne M. Stine Park.

“We start in February with a robust committee and break up into mini task forces to handle different aspects of the festival,” Troy Community Foundation Chair Karen Greenwood said.

On top of that, different Troy nonprofits and organizations will have the chance to promote their work at different times during this festival. Some the nonprofits that attendees can expect this year include the Stage Nature Center, 100 Women Who Care, Troy Youth Assistance, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, The Troy Newcomers Club, the Troy Community Coalition, The Arc of Oakland County, Masons Trelum Lodge #552, and MSU Extension- Garden Club, among others.

Troy Family Daze events will be going on 4-9 p.m. Sept. 12, 4-11 p.m. Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 14 and noon-7 p.m. Sept. 15.

In terms of entertainment, attendees can expect midway rides, a diverse array of kids activities, a naturalization ceremony, an “Animal Oasis” in the kids area, a Troy/Clawson fire department water battle, a robotics demonstration, a Troy Police Department dunk tank fundraiser for Special Olympics, fireworks, and a 5K/kids fun run.

On Thursday morning, the festival will be open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for students with disabilities who register to participate in “The Big Event.” These kids will get to ride some of the rides that are open and enjoy cotton candy and other treats.

“Students with disabilities come with chaperones, and we have over 400 students coming this year,” Greenwood said.

A new feature for Troy Family Daze is the parade that is planned for 10 a.m. Sept. 14. The route will be from Walsh College south on Livernois and west on Town Center Drive, ending at the Troy Community Center. Around 35 different groups are registered for the parade, and it will judged for the award categories of best performance and most enthusiastic.

“I hope the parade takes off and gets so big it goes through Big Beaver Road,” Greenwood said. “We’re also praying for good weather.”

Admissions costs $5 per person, and kids 10 and younger attend for free. Free parking is available at the Liberty Center parking garage at 100 W. Big Beaver Road, and attendees will be able to take free shuttle rides from the parking garage to the front gate of the festival.

“We expect approx 25,000 or more attendees over the four-day festival from in and around town,” TCF Executive Director Olivia McLaughlin said in an email.

For more information, visit troycf.org/home or troyfamilydaze.org/welcome.