The DIY Street Fair, running Sept. 13-15, is a free two-day, three-night event in Ferndale where local artists, crafters, businesses, groups and organizations, musicians, restaurants, brewers and others who live and work with a do-it-yourself ethic converge for one big celebration. The event, which launched its first weekend fair in 2008, showcases the immense creative energy, independent spirit and innovative talent that can be found throughout the area. Open to the public, free to attend and all are welcome.
Highlights include:
Live Music: regional, popular and up-and-coming original bands converge for one the largest showcases of area talent over three days, four nights and three stages.
The Record Shop: Visit the UHF record shop near the Metrotimes Stage to purchase self-produced and/or self-released music and merchandise from the performing acts
The Beer Garden: sample a wide variety of delicious craft beers brewed right here in the Great Beer State
The Restaurant Row: local restaurants and food trucks cook up delicious dishes all weekend long
The Marketplace: local artists, crafters, entrepreneurs and organizations present and sell their original work
The Kids Zone: hands-on, DIY projects, educational demonstrations, music and entertainment for children of all ages throughout the weekend
DIY 5K: charity 5K benefiting Ferndale Public Schools' art programs
Who's behind this?
The street fair is organized by local business owners who recognize the DIY ethic that thrives throughout the local community and enhances the quality of life in Detroit and surrounding areas.
How is this event different?
Among the many special characteristics that push this event beyond the traditional art fair, DIY Street Fair is about community growth and support. It is a showcase for local, homegrown, forward-thinking solutions, original works, innovative products, businesses and ideas.
Why Ferndale?
Ferndale is the perfect city to host the DIY Street Fair. Ferndale has quickly become the areas hottest place to be, epitomizing the DIY ethic on so many levels – evident in the national success of such companies as Garden Fresh Salsa, the local popularity of Woodward Avenue Brewers and the Magic Bag, and the fertile creative soil that is home turf to so many artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and activists. Ferndale has often been described as 20 minutes from nearly everywhere in metro Detroit, making it the logical choice for an event of this scale. Ford Motor Company relocated all of their official Woodward Dream Cruise events from Birmingham to Ferndale. Ferndale's unique mixture of non-corporate homegrown small business and Woodward as a central part of its downtown layout make for a genuine and authentic environment.
Where is it?
DIY Street Fair is located on E. Troy Street, off of Woodward Avenue, 1 block South of E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale. It will occupy the municipal parking lots just west of the Ferndale Public Library and south of Troy Street behind Woodward Avenue Brewers.
