DETROIT — The U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guards are joining with civilian groups to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in a series of special events in Detroit September 4-10, 2012.
From September 4-10 Navy war ships and an exact replica of the Brig Niagara will moor along the Detroit riverfront and be available for civilians to tour. The Brig Niagara will dock in Detroit at the GM Renaissance Center.
The Detroit branch of the 1812 Commemoration Committee will host a spectacular Opening Night Navy Welcome Gala from 7-10 PM Sept. 6 at Detroit’s Fox Theatre.
“The gala welcomes visiting sailors and high brass from both the U.S. and Canadian naval ships visiting Detroit with an evening of music, food and entertainment,” says Dr. Jeff Pierce, co-chairman of the Detroit 1812 Commemoration Committee.
The guest list also includes a who’s who of Detroit area celebrities, including some of the pre-eminent local business and industry leaders and professional athletes. Proceeds from the evening will benefit several Michigan based non-profit organizations, including RockStar Warriors, Operation Homefront, Wounded Warriors, Athletes Unlimited, Navy Sea Cadets, Detroit Public Schools, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. For more information on the gala, and to purchase tickets ($100 GA and $250), please visit www.1812Detroit.com.
General Motors Corporation is planning several commemorative events in front of the Renaissance Center, including a military country music concert Sept. 8 featuring three-time No. 1 Billboard Hot Country hit maker Darryl Worley. General Motors will also celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 with a Navy Festival each day (Sept. 5-10), including Interactive flight simulators, an interactive submarine tank, a USMC display with vehicles and mounted weapons systems, a Navy helicopter display and more. Entertaining Navy and Marine band performances will also take place every day on stage outside the GM Ren Cen.
DETROIT CALENDAR OF PUBLIC EVENTS: All events take place on the riverfront unless noted. Most, but not all, will be free. The schedule is subject to change.
Sept. 4
4-6 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band
4:30 p.m. – Arrival of USS De Wert
5:30 p.m. – Arrival of USS Hurricane, US Brig Niagara, USCGC Katmai Bay
Sept. 5
9 a.m.-noon – ESPN ship broadcast
10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Navy Festival, GM Renaissance Center
11 a.m.-2 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band, GM Renaissance Center
Noon – Ville de Quebec frigate arrives, Canada
Noon-5 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay public tours
Noon-7 p.m. – US Brig Niagara public tours
3-7 p.m. – USS De Wert & USS Hurricane public tours
4-6 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band, GM Renaissance Center
Sept. 6
9 a.m.-noon – ESPN ship broadcast
10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Navy Festival, GM Renaissance Center
11 a.m.-2 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band, GM Renaissance Center
Noon-5 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay public tours
Noon-6 p.m. – USS De Wert & USS Hurricane public tours
Noon-7 p.m. – US Brig Niagara public tours
4-6 p.m. U.S. – Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band, GM Renaissance Center
7-10 p.m. – Navy welcome reception, Fox Theatre
Sept. 7
9 a.m.-noon – ESPN ship broadcast
11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band
Noon-4 p.m. – USS Hurricane public tours
Noon-5 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay public tours
Noon-6 p.m. – Navy Festival, GM Renaissance Center
Noon-7 p.m. – USS De Wert & US Brig Niagara public tours
2 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue demo
4-6 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard military band
6 p.m. – USS Hurricane departs for Battle of Lake Erie
6-11 p.m. – Philharmonic Concert with F/A-18 flyby, Lake St. Clair Metropark
Sept. 8
10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Navy Festival, GM Renaissance Center
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard military band
Noon-3 p.m. – Red Wings alumni softball game, Lake St. Clair Metropark
Noon-4 p.m. – USS De Wert public tours
Noon-5 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay public tours
2-2:30 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue demo
3-4:30 p.m. – GM military country music concert with Darryl Worley (three Billboard Hot Country No. 1 songs!)
Sept. 9
8 a.m.-3 p.m. – Chef Ahoy cooking competition, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
10 a.m.-4 p.m. – US Brig Niagara public tours
10 a.m.-tba – Navy Festival, GM Renaissance Center
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps military band, GM Renaissance Center
Noon – USS Hurricane returns to Detroit
Noon – Detroit Lions game appearance
Noon-3 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay public tours
Noon-7 p.m. – USS De Wert public tours
5-7 p.m. – 1812 Committee farewell event
Sept. 10
Noon – Ville de Quebec frigate departure (sortie), Canada
1 p.m. – USCGC Katmai Bay (sortie) departure
1 p.m. – USS Hurricane departure
1:30 p.m. – USS De Wert departure
1:30 p.m. – US Brig Niagara departure
More than one million people are expected to visit and view these ships to celebrate and learn more about American history and the role Detroit played in this significant battle. For more information on public tours and times, please visit www.1812Detroit.com.
