Windsor–Detroit International Freedom Festival

The festival's fireworks display

The International Freedom Festival is a multi-day celebration in early July marking Canada Day on July 1 and the American Independence Day on July 4. Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada jointly celebrate the multi-day festival which draws about 3.5 million visitors. The International Freedom Festival began in 1959. It was organized by the Parade Company, a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.

Beginning in 2007, the Festival became two separate events, Windsor Summer Fest, and Detroit River Days.

Summer Fest is a 19 day festival, which takes place along the scenic riverfront in Windsor Ontario. This festival is a perennial favourite for the entire family, offering something for all ages, and stages. Over the years more than 500,000 people have come out annually to enjoy the many activities, and attractions which run in conjunction with Summer Fest.

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy began the River Days festival in June 2007 to introduce the community and visitors to the transformed Detroit International Riverfront. The festival marked the opening of significant portions of the new Detroit RiverWalk and the festival has continued each year to spotlight the magnificent resources and this new destination in the city of Detroit.

The highlight of both festivals is the fireworks display in celebration of the United States' Fourth of July and Canada's Canada Day. It is one of the largest and most spectacular fire work displays in North America, lighting up the sky over Windsor and Detroit. This annual spectacle draws more than 1,000,000 to the Windsor and Detroit river fronts. It is usually held on the Monday shared by both festivals.

Events

Traditionally, several days of events were planned, ending with one of the world's largest fireworks displays.^[1] The event usually took place the last Wednesday of June, every year. However, in 2010 the day was moved to a Monday. The Windsor side also contains a carnival with additional events and rides.

Sponsors

For most of its existence it was sponsored by Hudson's. Today, the main sponsor is Target Corporation, the successor to the Dayton-Hudson Corporation. On the Windsor side, there is a midway consisting of carnival rides and concessions during the festival. The Midway operates as a stand-alone attraction at the end of June and beginning of July.

See also

• Detroit International Riverfront
• Detroit–Windsor
• Detroit Windsor International Film Festival

Notes

1. ^ Mink, Randy, and Karen Mink (July 2001).Detroit Turns 300 - Detroit 300 Festival. Travel America, World Publishing Co., Gale Group.

References

• Detroit Riverdays Festival Webpage
• Windsor Summerfest Webpage