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Detroit neighborhood solar projects seek shift to DTE

The switch could raise costs, but help avoid more delays.

Environment

Detroit plans to transfer three neighborhood <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" data-vars-content-id="fe1c4028-fc9f-4759-98f6-7e7acbbbb730" data-vars-headline="Detroit neighborhood solar projects seek shift to DTE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" target="_self">solar projects</a> to DTE Energy after its original Boston-based contractor exited solar development following a private-equity acquisition.Why it matters: The switch from Lightstar Renewables will likely involve higher costs, though a final price tag isn&#x27;t known yet.

Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration

The free event brings back vintage ads, ice cream and the Vernors Gnome.

Culture

Detroit&#x27;s own ginger ale, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vernors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/08/11/trying-vernors-michigan" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/08/11/trying-vernors-michigan" target="_self">Vernors</a>, is celebrating its 160th anniversary with a daylong party Sunday at Eastern Market.Why it matters: Like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Better Made" data-vars-click-url="https://bettermade.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqFKojepfv1ohEcn1GYAm5ToNhYzUd159bDbAQfwFIpx2RYfJlx" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bettermade.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqFKojepfv1ohEcn1GYAm5ToNhYzUd159bDbAQfwFIpx2RYfJlx" target="_blank">Better Made</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Faygo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.faygo.com/" data-vars-content-id="fd2779e1-c237-4207-971c-c00873c48142" data-vars-headline="Vernors fans get a fizzy celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.faygo.com/" target="_blank">Faygo</a>, Vernors is a local brand woven into the city&#x27;s identity across generations.

Tips for giving blood in Metro Detroit

Sunday is World Blood Donor Day, and demand for blood donations rises in the summer.

Things to Do

Blood donation groups&#x27; needs increase during the summer — so Sunday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Blood Donor Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day" data-vars-content-id="11001dbd-db3d-4e9b-98db-a064786c7c44" data-vars-headline="Tips for giving blood in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day" target="_blank">World Blood Donor Day</a> may be the time to roll up your sleeve.Why it matters: In the hot months, demand for blood goes up as more accidents occur, while donations fall with high-school and college-student donors taking a hiatus, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="C&amp;G Newspapers reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.candgnews.com/news/blood-donation-groups-need-donors-especially-for-the-summer--11065" data-vars-content-id="11001dbd-db3d-4e9b-98db-a064786c7c44" data-vars-headline="Tips for giving blood in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.candgnews.com/news/blood-donation-groups-need-donors-especially-for-the-summer--11065" target="_blank">C&amp;G Newspapers reported</a>.

Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: June 12-14

World Cup watch party, Pride events and more.

⚽ World Cup watch party: Detroit City FC is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major watch party at Campus Martius" data-vars-click-url="https://app.gopassage.com/events/world-soccer-celebration-june12" data-vars-content-id="ff9eb3d2-1b3f-497b-b9d2-fd49ef747070" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: June 12-14" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.gopassage.com/events/world-soccer-celebration-june12" target="_blank">major watch party at Campus Martius</a> on Friday for team USA&#x27;s World Cup opener against Paraguay.<ul><li>Gates open at 7:30pm. Kickoff at 9pm.</li></ul>

Cinco de Mayo parade returns with unity theme

A parade, fiesta and other events around Detroit commemorate Cinco de Mayo.

Southwest Detroit&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cinco de Mayo celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitcincodemayoparade.com/" data-vars-content-id="eea7b196-15a1-4ec1-9b7b-9800fa629b21" data-vars-headline="Cinco de Mayo parade returns with unity theme" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitcincodemayoparade.com/" target="_blank">Cinco de Mayo celebration</a> returns this weekend with a fiesta and its massive parade bearing floats, musicians and politicians.The big picture: This year&#x27;s theme — Estamos Unidos, or &quot;We are United&quot; — is highly important, says Alma Cruz, president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit that organizes the event.

Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: March 27-29

Egg hunts, DJ sets, ceramic art exhibitions and more!

🏺 Check out various public exhibitions of ceramic art around the city as part of a giant national conference <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking place now through Saturday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/24/ceramics-conference-exhibits-region-nceca" data-vars-content-id="20a0512e-0672-4d7f-bb46-7d9ad0921877" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: March 27-29" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/24/ceramics-conference-exhibits-region-nceca" target="_self">taking place now through Saturday</a>.🦁 It&#x27;s a big weekend for theater with multiple shows of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Lion King" data-vars-click-url="https://us.atgtickets.com/events/disneys-the-lion-king/detroit-opera-house/" data-vars-content-id="20a0512e-0672-4d7f-bb46-7d9ad0921877" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: March 27-29" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://us.atgtickets.com/events/disneys-the-lion-king/detroit-opera-house/" target="_blank">The Lion King</a>&quot; at the Detroit Opera House now through April 5, and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mamma Mia!" data-vars-click-url="https://us.atgtickets.com/events/mamma-mia/fisher-theatre/" data-vars-content-id="20a0512e-0672-4d7f-bb46-7d9ad0921877" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: March 27-29" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://us.atgtickets.com/events/mamma-mia/fisher-theatre/" target="_blank">Mamma Mia!</a>&quot; at the Fisher Theatre through Sunday.

313 Day brings parties, pizza deals and concerts

From Belle Isle to downtown, 313 Day offers food specials and live music this Friday.

One indicator that spring is upon us? This Friday marks 313 Day, the holiday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marked by Detroit&#x27;s area code" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/06/detroit-313-day-events-2025" data-vars-content-id="35452242-0928-43c3-be73-71958be4d18f" data-vars-headline="313 Day brings parties, pizza deals and concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/06/detroit-313-day-events-2025" target="_self">marked by Detroit&#x27;s area code</a> that celebrates its spirit, culture and history.Start making your plans now:

Affordable Valentine's Day ideas in Metro Detroit

What to do to keep things a little romantic while not shelling out too much cash.

Valentine&#x27;s and Galentine&#x27;s Day celebrations can be cute, but in 2026, many of us don&#x27;t want to drain our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already strained" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/consumer-confidence-conference-board-gdp" data-vars-content-id="d13779f4-6caf-4ec7-b65a-c216e6d30e84" data-vars-headline="Affordable Valentine&#x27;s Day ideas in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/consumer-confidence-conference-board-gdp" target="_self">already strained</a> wallets.The big picture: Romance isn&#x27;t dead! But according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WalletHub survey" data-vars-click-url="https://wallethub.com/blog/valentines-day-survey/57387" data-vars-content-id="d13779f4-6caf-4ec7-b65a-c216e6d30e84" data-vars-headline="Affordable Valentine&#x27;s Day ideas in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wallethub.com/blog/valentines-day-survey/57387" target="_blank">WalletHub survey</a>, two in five people say the Feb. 14 holiday is unaffordable.

Try some unusual Christmas movies this season

Take a break from those Netflix rom-coms and try these odd but interesting picks.

Annalise here, urging you to expand your holiday movie palette beyond the obvious classics and Hallmark-esque ridiculousness.Why it matters: So many great movies delve into holiday themes or feature Christmas decor, but may not be featured in your streaming service&#x27;s &quot;holiday movies&quot; category.

Things to do this weekend in Metro Detroit: Dec. 12-14

Holiday strolls, a Speedo party, Menorah in the D and more.

🎪 Who doesn&#x27;t love a little circus for the holidays? Check out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cirque Dreams Holidaze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/cirque-dreams-holidaze" data-vars-content-id="8107d76e-c5ff-4506-a38c-1383b9b52376" data-vars-headline="Things to do this weekend in Metro Detroit: Dec. 12-14" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/cirque-dreams-holidaze" target="_blank">Cirque Dreams Holidaze</a> at the Fox Theatre.<ul><li>7:30pm Thursday and Friday; 11am, 3pm and 7:30pm Saturday; and 1pm Sunday. Tickets start at $39.</li></ul>

Axios Detroit's local holiday shopping guide

Our curated selection ranges from artsy beanies to a top-tier candle and colorable T-shirts.

It isn&#x27;t always easy to stick to your aspirations of buying local for the holidays, but we&#x27;ve got suggestions on how to do it.The big picture: Small businesses nationwide rely on holiday season shopping for around 10-50% of their annual sales, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Constant Contact" data-vars-click-url="https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/small-business-now-holiday-report/" data-vars-content-id="07e76e70-d892-4232-aae9-421e8e717f5e" data-vars-headline="Axios Detroit&#x27;s local holiday shopping guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/small-business-now-holiday-report/" target="_blank">Constant Contact</a>.

Detroit's Thanksgiving parade brings new floats, stars

The 99th annual parade kicks off Thursday morning on Woodward Avenue.

News

Detroit&#x27;s Thanksgiving parade returns Thursday for its 99th year, rolling down Woodward Avenue with new floats, celebrities and local flavor.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationally recognized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/12/06/americas-thanksgiving-parade-best-usa-today-readers/76796795007/" data-vars-content-id="9b2441a8-382b-4f09-917a-3f79ad690612" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Thanksgiving parade brings new floats, stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/12/06/americas-thanksgiving-parade-best-usa-today-readers/76796795007/" target="_blank">nationally recognized</a> parade is one of the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="favorite traditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/11/26/detroit-thanksgiving-parade-road-closures-schedule" data-vars-content-id="9b2441a8-382b-4f09-917a-3f79ad690612" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Thanksgiving parade brings new floats, stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/11/26/detroit-thanksgiving-parade-road-closures-schedule" target="_self">favorite traditions</a>.

Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: Oct. 31-Nov. 2

Events for Halloween, Day of the Dead and more.

🎛️ Join a Halloween-themed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="night of house music" data-vars-click-url="https://ra.co/events/2257516" data-vars-content-id="0d777f50-15d9-492b-853e-8f9406eb9029" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: Oct. 31-Nov. 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ra.co/events/2257516" target="_blank">night of house music</a>, community and dancing presented by techno great Kevin Saunderson at TV Lounge.<ul><li>Doors at 9pm Friday. $30.</li></ul>

Shop spooky at these local Halloween stores

No Amazon or Spirit needed: These Metro Detroit shops have masks, costumes and more.

Business

Looking for Halloween essentials without feeding the corporate machine?We have ideas:

Holidays

Cinco de Mayo parade returns with unity theme

Things to do in Metro Detroit this weekend: March 27-29

313 Day brings parties, pizza deals and concerts

Affordable Valentine's Day ideas in Metro Detroit

Try some unusual Christmas movies this season