River Days is the perfect time to enjoy all the fun that the new Detroit International Riverfront has to offer. 

DTE Parade of Lights

Boaters from across the state of Michigan are invited to exhibit their decorated sailboats and powerboats in the 3rd Annual DTE Energy Parade of Lights. Organized in partnership with the Detroit Yacht Club, this spectacular display of boats will light up the Detroit River beginning at 10 p.m., so guests and spectator boats should arrive early for a great viewing position.  Trophies and first, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in three different categories.  Interested applicants can receive the application here or by calling the Detroit Yacht Club at 313-824-1200. Applications must be completed and submitted by June 8, 2009.

On Saturday and Sunday at River Days, the J.W. Westcott II will visit River Days and showcase its mail delivery service to ships on the Detroit River. The J.W. Westcott II is a boat that serves to deliver mail to other vessels, and also provides a pilot boat service to ferry pilots to and from other vessels. The ship operates out of Detroit, Michigan and is regarded as the only ship in the U.S.A that delivers mail to other ships, as they are underway.

Located in Detroit at the foot of 24th street just west of the Ambassador Bridge, the J.W. Westcott Company was originally formed in 1874 by Captain J.W. Westcott to inform passing vessels of changes in orders. The Westcott Company's role has changed to include a wide range of services. June 1895 marked the first mid-river mail delivery by a Westcott mail boat beginning more than 100 years of "mail-by-the-pail". All deliveries are carried out by the 45-foot J.W. Westcott II, with the Joseph J. Hogan standing by as a back up boat. J.W. Westcott Company Website

Today the Company's duties include: U.S. mail delivery; freight delivery, storage, forwarding; message service; passenger service to and from vessels; pilot boat services for the Port of Detroit; the sale of nautical charts, postcards, books, candy and cigarettes, and even the occasional mid-river pizza delivery.

On Saturday June 20th, the International Tug Boat Race will take place on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. About 20 tugs will race from just west of the Ambassador Bridge. At 1:30pm the Tugs will parade on the Detroit side of the River from GM Plaza to Rivard Plaza. Be sure to attend River Days so you won’t miss it!

Friends Good Will

Have you ever seen a really “tall ship”?  River Days brings the Friends Good Will to the Detroit RiverWalk June 19-21, 2009!  Docked at Rivard Plaza near the Kids Zone, the whole family can enjoy a FREE educational tour aboard this truly historic maritime vessel.  Don’t miss this experience! For more information please Click Here Detroit River Open The 3rd Annual Detroit River Open Bass Fishing Tournament will take place on Saturday, June 20. Interested bass fisherman can register for the tournament at www.nbaa-bass.com.

This year’s entry fee is $150.00 and teams that sign up on or before June 1st are entered in a drawing for the early boat numbers. Registration and take off will take place on St. Jean’s Ramp.

Diamond Jacks River Tours will be docked at the General Motors Plaza during River Days!  Festivalgoers will be able to take 1-hour tours and experience the sights along the newly refurbished RiverWalk from the Detroit River.

These tours will be presented at a discounted rate, with $10 tickets (regularly $15) for adults, and $5 tickets (regularly $11) for children.  Children under 5 years of age are free with an adult. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding. Cash only please. Group reservations are NOT available.  All passengers will board on a first come first served basis.  Other discounts such as AAA, AARP will NOT apply. More information on Diamond Jack’s River Tours can be found at www.diamondjack.com.

Hydroplane Exhibitions and Can-Am Offshore Boat Parade

Be sure to watch for the Hydroplane Exhibition Runs along the Detroit River! Jerry Bell of the Bell Hydroplane team will be running exhibition laps in his 5L Hydroplane at 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At 4pm on Saturday, 20 boats from the Can-Am Offshore Association will parade 2 by 2 down the Detroit River and past River Days. Don't miss these exciting boating exhibition runs!