What an epic Tigers season opener! Last Friday, April 4, the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) hosted its free Opening Day Tailgate Party presented by Miller Lite at the historic Grand Circus Park. The event was just steps away from Comerica Park, where the Tigers played their first home game, kicking off the baseball season.
The tailgate drew a steady stream of sports fans, with crowds pouring in as soon as the gates opened. As the foot traffic ebbed and flowed, the event attracted more than 30% of attendees from last year with a record-breaking 13,000 in total visitors. The event maintained a full crowd throughout the day.
Excitement was in the air as DJ Invisible kept fans dancing and singing along to their favorite tunes. During intermittent fan giveaways, some lucky winners took home autographed merchandise, tickets to an upcoming game, branded items, and more.
The tri-county community came together, making spring memories, enjoying the game livestreamed on the giant video walls while connecting with friends old and new. According to DDP’s recent data, last year, Opening Day attracted 89% of fans who lived outside of the city, and more than 9,000 out-of-state visitors.
For those who arrived without sports gear, the All Things Detroit booth offered branded sports apparel for all sizes.
There was an electricity pulsating through the streets of Downtown last Friday. Excitement reverberating from one Opening Day event to the next, businesses were filled, the streets were bustling with people, parking lots were full, and the steady, robust movement of people was not only flowing, but also seamless. The cherry on top? The Tigers won the Opening Game.
This marks the third consecutive year the DDP produced the Opening Day Tailgate event. A special thanks to the Opening Day Tailgate sponsors that helped to make it all possible: Miller Lite, DTE Energy, McDonald’s, Verizon, Xfinity and Sheetz.
