Three-day bash across Downtown Detroit parks to feature large screens showing live NFL Draft presented by Bud Light action, Bud Light beer tents, live music, local food trucks, shopping, games and more
DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Partnership today announced the ultimate football celebration: Draft Day in the D, a three-day party across Downtown Detroit’s award-winning parks and public spaces. The festivities, held April 25-27, will be located at Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park and on a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue between State Street and Witherell Street. They are free to attend and open to fans and visitors of all ages.
Draft Day in the D attendees won’t miss a second of the NFL Draft presented by Bud Light, with ten 20-foot video wallsspread throughout the Downtown parks showing the live feed of the event all weekend long. Visitors will enjoy live music performances, indulge in delicious dishes from a variety of local food trucks and discover unique treasures from Detroit-based vendors while taking in the beauty of Downtown Detroit’s parks, which are programmed and operated by the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
“Draft Day in the D offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend of football fun,” said David Cowan, Chief Public Spaces Officer, Downtown Detroit Partnership. “This family-friendly festival spans several downtown parks, all in walking distance from the Draft event site, and has something for everyone. Draft Day in the D is sure to offer an unforgettable atmosphere celebrating football and community in the heart of Detroit.”
BEER AND SPIRITS
It’s a Bud Light party in the parks! Attendees can enjoy their favorite ice-cold beverages, such as Bud Light, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Black Cherry Seltzer, Stella Artois and Smirnoff Smash at convenient bars located within all five of the Draft Day in the D event spaces.
FOOD TRUCKS
Visitors can enjoy tailgate fare from more than 35 local food truck favorites such as Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck, Rolling Stoves, Slow’s BBQ, Sonny’s Hamburgers, Wing Snob, Cousins Maine Lobster and more. A full list of participating food trucks per day can be found here.
SHOP THE D AND SUPPORT LOCAL
Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit will be on full display within the parks, showcasing more than 45 local vendors showcased each day. Vendors include All Things Detroit Marketplace, Detroit Originals, Poppa’s Gourmet Hot Sauce, Frick’n Good Cookies, Sweet Potato Sensations and more.
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
Detroit musicians and entertainers will be taking the stage to showcase the local talent and energy of the city. There will be over 60 opportunities for local Detroit artists, musicians and entertainers. High energy beats will fill the air as fans hear all their favorite stadium jams.
Throughout the three-day event, interactive art installations will be on display. Capitol Park will host Rebel Nell, the Detroit-based jewelry company that incorporates repurposed materials such as fallen graffiti and will have a designated space with a collaborative art display.
Additionally, attendees can immerse themselves in the custom-made Draft Day in the D football arch created by LeMonde Studio. The arch will be in Capitol Park and six unique football benches will be placed throughout the parks, offering the perfect fan photo opportunity to capture that special draft memory.
CIGAR ROLLING AT PARADISE VALLEY BEATRICE BUCK PARK
Attendees are encouraged to visit Paradise Valley at Randolph Street and Grand River Avenue for a unique experience on Thursday and Friday from 2 – 8:30 p.m. La Casa Cigar Lounge will be setting up a cigar rolling station, adding a touch of luxury to Draft Day in the D. Visitors can see expert cigar rolling in action and indulge in premium hand-rolled cigars. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind and savor the finer things in life before continuing to explore what the rest of Downtown Detroit has to offer.
CORNHOLE AND MORE AT BEACON PARK
Beacon Park is the place to be for competing in daily cornhole tournaments from 4 – 6 p.m. while catching all the live Draft action on two big screens. Attendees can also delight in delicious food and drinks from local vendors, check out DTE’s Energy Den and EV Garage and soak up the excitement of the Draft festivities, while they relax away from the crowds in the heart of Downtown.
DRAFT DAY IN THE D EVENT HOURS
Draft Day in the D will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, April 25 and noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO DOWNTOWN DETROIT DURING DRAFT WEEKEND
Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, as capacity at the NFL Draft presented by Bud Light and Draft Day in the D is limited and admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Adults must register for free entry to the NFL Draft presented by Bud Light through the NFL OnePass app and can also register up to five children to get into the event. Fans can register at no cost via the app or online at NFL.com/DraftAccess. For those without smartphones, on-site registration through Fan Services staff is available.
With downtown road closures in effect, attendees are encouraged to use alternative transportation options, such as the QLINE, Detroit People Mover, e-scooters, MoGo bicycles and rideshare apps. Designated rideshare, park-and-ride and shuttle drop-off areas include Little Caesars Arena, the Fort/Cass People Mover station and the Renaissance Center.
From Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 28, DDOT will have modified bus routes due to the road closures downtown. The Bricktown and Fort/Cass stations and the Rosa Parks Transit Center will act as designated DDOT/SMART hubs.
Visitors can use regional transit services, such as the D2A2 bus connecting Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, as well as the new DAX (Detroit Air Express) bus, offering service between Downtown Detroit and Detroit Metro Airport.
Parking in Downtown Detroit will also be made easy for NFL fans, with options such as street parking and numerous parking structures around the city. To access up-to-date parking availability and pricing, attendees can download the ParkWhiz app. To pay for street parking on demand with their phone, they are encouraged to download the ParkDetroit app.
DETAILED ROAD CLOSURES
For ongoing updates, maps and more details related to road closures as draft weekend approaches, see the road closure phases here.
For more information, visit nfl.com/draft/event-info, downtowndetroit.org and visitdetroit.com and download the NFL OnePass app. For specific questions, please email [email protected].
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About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
