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Saturday, April 19, 2025 4:00 PM // Multiple venues, see event description for details

Downtown Ypsi Processional & Community Party

Free
Participatory Experience
Ypsi Freighthouse
 

UMS is joining forces with Riverside Arts Center and FestiFools to create an artistic celebration in Ypsilanti. Start at the Riverside Arts Center at 4 pm, where you’ll pick out your FestiFools puppet, then join us for a short, one-of-a-kind processional at 5 pm, as we march alongside the Detroit Party Marching Band from Downtown to Depot Town. The processional ends at the Freighthouse, where you’ll join your neighbors in a community celebration, including live music by Djangophonique.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Venues

Riverside Arts Center
76 N Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Ypsilanti Freighthouse
100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Frequently Asked Questions
What is a processional?
A processional is taking to the streets and walking with others for one cause or reason. In this case, it’s for celebration! We’re walking through Ypsilanti to celebrate the magnanimous artistic community that flourishes here and around southeast Michigan. There will be a marching band, puppets and a whole lot of fun to be had both during the procession and at the party at the end.
What kind of puppets will there be?
The puppets are those created for and featured in the annual FestiFools celebration and parade in downtown Ann Arbor. These “bizarro” puppets are created by U-M students and community members but could be operated by you! These “street-sized” creations come in all shapes and sizes, operated by long wooden dowels which connect to the creations. While some puppets may be a single small creation on a stick to be waved around in the air, others are attached to wagons or other weight-bearing movers and operated by several puppeteers each with their own dowel and responsibilities!
What should I bring?
All you need is good shoes to walk in! We will provide the puppets and activities, just be ready to move!
How far is the walk?
The walk is about ¾ of a mile, about a 15-20 minute walk. We will start at the Riverside Arts Center (76 North Huron Street) and head briefly southeast to walk through Riverside Park along the river. Once at the other end of the park, we will walk the rest of the way along Cross Street to end at the Freighthouse. (100 Market Place)

If weather does not allow us to walk through the park, we will instead make the half mile (10 minute) walk directly north along Huron to arrive at Cross Street and finish the originally anticipated route.

Where should I park?
On-street parking is available along Michigan Avenue, Adams, Washington, Pearl, North Huron, East Cross Street and North River for free on Sunday. There are also several parking lots in the area with no weekend fees.

Parking near Riverside Arts Center:

North Huron Parking Lot
South Huron Parking Lot
North Washington Street Parking Lot
North Adams Parking Lot
City Hall Lot

Parking near the Ypsilanti Freighthouse:

Frog Island Lot
Freighthouse Lot
Maple Street Lot

View more detailed parking info.

When should I arrive at Riverside Arts Center?
Arrive at Riverside Arts Center at 4 pm to pick out your puppet and get situated. The processional will begin at 5 pm.
I just want to go to the party, is that okay?
Of course! The party at the Freighthouse will feature a plethora of activities! Join us for crafts, live entertainment, and music by local group Djangophonique. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Meet the Artists

Djangophonique
Djangophonique
Detroit Party Marching Band
Detroit Party Marching Band

Free Event

Downtown Ypsi Processional & Community Party
Multiple venues, see event description for details
Free; Please RSVP

RSVP
Saturday, April 19, 2025 4:00 PM
Multiple venues, see event description for details

Downtown Ypsi Processional & Community Party

Free
Participatory Experience
Ypsi Freighthouse
RSVP
Free; Please RSVP

UMS is joining forces with Riverside Arts Center and FestiFools to create an artistic celebration in Ypsilanti. Start at the Riverside Arts Center at 4 pm, where you’ll pick out your FestiFools puppet, then join us for a short, one-of-a-kind processional at 5 pm, as we march alongside the Detroit Party Marching Band from Downtown to Depot Town. The processional ends at the Freighthouse, where you’ll join your neighbors in a community celebration, including live music by Djangophonique.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Venues

Riverside Arts Center
76 N Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Ypsilanti Freighthouse
100 Market Pl, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Frequently Asked Questions
What is a processional?
A processional is taking to the streets and walking with others for one cause or reason. In this case, it’s for celebration! We’re walking through Ypsilanti to celebrate the magnanimous artistic community that flourishes here and around southeast Michigan. There will be a marching band, puppets and a whole lot of fun to be had both during the procession and at the party at the end.
What kind of puppets will there be?
The puppets are those created for and featured in the annual FestiFools celebration and parade in downtown Ann Arbor. These “bizarro” puppets are created by U-M students and community members but could be operated by you! These “street-sized” creations come in all shapes and sizes, operated by long wooden dowels which connect to the creations. While some puppets may be a single small creation on a stick to be waved around in the air, others are attached to wagons or other weight-bearing movers and operated by several puppeteers each with their own dowel and responsibilities!
What should I bring?
All you need is good shoes to walk in! We will provide the puppets and activities, just be ready to move!
How far is the walk?
The walk is about ¾ of a mile, about a 15-20 minute walk. We will start at the Riverside Arts Center (76 North Huron Street) and head briefly southeast to walk through Riverside Park along the river. Once at the other end of the park, we will walk the rest of the way along Cross Street to end at the Freighthouse. (100 Market Place)

If weather does not allow us to walk through the park, we will instead make the half mile (10 minute) walk directly north along Huron to arrive at Cross Street and finish the originally anticipated route.

Where should I park?
On-street parking is available along Michigan Avenue, Adams, Washington, Pearl, North Huron, East Cross Street and North River for free on Sunday. There are also several parking lots in the area with no weekend fees.

Parking near Riverside Arts Center:

North Huron Parking Lot
South Huron Parking Lot
North Washington Street Parking Lot
North Adams Parking Lot
City Hall Lot

Parking near the Ypsilanti Freighthouse:

Frog Island Lot
Freighthouse Lot
Maple Street Lot

View more detailed parking info.

When should I arrive at Riverside Arts Center?
Arrive at Riverside Arts Center at 4 pm to pick out your puppet and get situated. The processional will begin at 5 pm.
I just want to go to the party, is that okay?
Of course! The party at the Freighthouse will feature a plethora of activities! Join us for crafts, live entertainment, and music by local group Djangophonique. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Meet the Artists

Djangophonique
Djangophonique
Detroit Party Marching Band
Detroit Party Marching Band

Free Event

Downtown Ypsi Processional & Community Party
Multiple venues, see event description for details
Free; Please RSVP

CHOOSE A PERFORMANCE:

RSVP

Djangophonique
Djangophonique

Djangophonique is an award winning project that delivers the infectious joy, and expressive freedom that is at the heart of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with the aching nostalgia of a shimmering ballad.

Djangophonique has been described as “…the cleanest, most genuine manouche jazz that can be heard in Michigan” (Local Spins). Led by guitar player Andrew Brown, a true disciple of the style, the project has cultivated a community of musicians who channel the tenacious agility that the music demands. In 2022 the group released their first studio album, “Introducing Djangophonique,” which featured Tyler Rindo on Clarinet and Jorian Olk-Szost on double-bass and won Best Jazz Album, Traditions Award, as well as earning them Artist Of The Year at the WYCE Jammies. In 2023 guitarist Nicholas Martin joined the ensemble on rhythm guitar and the group began a new chapter with the addition of vocalist Katie Smith, who’s soulful approach channels the mystery and appeal of an unplaceable era. With a second studio album and a full concert schedule in the works for 2025, Djangophonique is poised to forge a connection with an expansive audience through the resonance of their artistry.

Detroit Party Marching Band
Detroit Party Marching Band

The Detroit Party Marching Band is an ever-evolving collective of 20+ Detroit area musicians devoted to frenetic revelry, driving jams, and the power of the un-amplified horn blast.

Love great music, theater, and dance?

Love great music, theater, and dance?

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