How to celebrate 313 Day
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The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's 313 Day celebration last year. Photo: Nadir Ali, courtesy of Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
Next week, Detroit celebrates more than just the iconic three numbers that make up its area code.
Why it matters: 313 Day — celebrated on March 13, of course — is a celebration of the city's spirit, achievements and cultural history.
- Event hosts are highlighting local entertainers, businesses and activists around the city next Thursday through Saturday.
What they're saying: "There were always amazing people, places and projects [in Detroit], but they weren't lifted up very often to locals or people beyond the 313" in the past, Jeanette Pierce, president of City Institute and a lifelong Detroit resident, tells Axios.
- "Detroiters have always felt pride and felt like we had to defend our city, and now more people are understanding the assets here, and there's more and more people coming together to celebrate the amazing things we've done in Detroit."
Flashback: Detroit was assigned the area code 313 in the late 1940s, when the North American Numbering Plan was created to standardize the telephone numbering system, according to the Michigan Chronicle.
- The low number reflected Detroit's prominence as a city at that time, and the high call volume it would generate, since low numbers were easier to dial on rotary phones. New York City got 212 and Los Angeles 213.
Planning your 313 Day party schedule? Check out:
313 Day Festival: The three-day event honoring Detroit's history, musicians and innovators is back with big names after a one-year hiatus, according to Metro Times. Tickets for concerts start around $35, with bundles starting at $89.
- Thursday, March 13: R&B concert at the Masonic Temple Theatre, with doors at 6pm. Artists include Charity, Neisha Neshae and Nick Lavelle.
- Friday, March 14: Celebrate the influential local rap scene with Tee Grizzley, Icewear Vezzo, BabyTron and many more names, plus "surprise guest performances." Masonic Temple Theatre, doors at 6pm.
- Saturday, March 15: Education Day, 10am at The Icon building, gives attendees a chance to learn more about the entertainment business, mental health, community engagement and more.
- Also Saturday: A celebrity basketball game at Oak Park High School, with local celebrities versus athletes. Doors at 6pm.
Riverfront: Channel 4 and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy plan to have live music, trivia, comedy, poetry, a vendors market, chess, food, themed drinks and kids' activities at Valade Park on the east riverfront on March 13 from 3:13pm to 7pm.
Atwater: The brewery's riverfront location plans to start the party at 11am on 313 Day, with live music, giveaways and $3.13 food and beer specials.
Museum: The Detroit Historical Museum's admission is free from 5pm-8pm on 313 Day, with a mocktail lecture event and cash bar service, plus a Women's History Month presentation on the women who changed Detroit.
Look out for more deals from Detroit businesses, including:
- $3.13 house margaritas with tequila or mezcal at Mezcal Mexican Restaurant in Midtown.
- $3.13 slices at Mootz Pizzeria downtown.