The Metro Events Guide: Detroit Story Fest, Woodbridge Porch Concerts + more

The sun is shining and the air is crisp — making for a perfect weekend to get into some fall activities. Local foodies will delight at the more than 50 food truck offerings at Detroit’s Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally this weekend, while music lovers can stroll through Woodbridge and enjoy some plein air live music performed on residential porches throughout the neighborhood.

Plus, catch WDET’s own Quinn Klinefelter on stage at the upcoming Detroit Story Fest at the Detroit Film Theatre, who will be sharing an intimate behind-the-scenes look at his story on how shrinking government budgets are changing the way some municipalities — like Detroit — handle burials of unclaimed bodies.

Detroit Story Fest

WDET is teaming up with Back Pocket Media and other local media partners to reimagine some of our best reporting live on stage at Detroit Story Fest 2024, set for 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Detroit Film Theatre. The event will feature stories and performances from award-wining journalists, musicians, performance artists, writers and podcasters from WDET, BridgeDetroit, Michigan Public, Detroit Free Press, Chalkbeat Detroit, Planet Detroit and others. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at wdet.org/events.

Fall festivals

More than 50 food trucks will be lining the Dequindre Cut from Jefferson to Wilkins this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6, for the Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally. The family-friendly event will offer live music and entertainment on four stages — including a dedicated kids stage featuring circus performers, spooky science shows, breakdancing demos and more. There will also be activities for kids, like arts and crafts and an inflatable fun park, as well as a pumpkin patch and photo opportunities. Tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the gate, with free admission for kids under three, seniors 65 and older and active/retired military personnel.

The city of Ferndale is hosting its annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 5, at Martin Road Park, 1615 East Lewiston Ave. The family friendly event will feature a host of fun activities for kids, from hayrides and pony rides, to arts and crafts, carnival games, pumpkin painting, a trick-or-treat trail and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at bit.ly/ferndalefallfestival.

The Detroit Parks Coalition is hosting the Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Rouge Park, to celebrate the legacy of the all-Black U.S. Army regiments who served in the 19th and 20th centuries. The free event will offer pony rides, games, food, and live music from Big Pete and Friends and others.

Porch concerts

Take a stroll through Detroit’s historic Woodbridge neighborhood and enjoy some live tunes from local artists and performers like The WB5 — an MC5 tribute band — Gabriel Traditional Band, Audra Kubat, Cye Pie and more. The 4th annual Woodbridge Porch Concerts, set for 1-6 p.m. this Saturday, is also being held in conjunction with the annual tapping of Woodbridge Ale, a beer made by Brew Detroit using hops grown in yards and community gardens of Woodbridge. 

Art exhibitions

The Detroit Institute of Arts continues its exhibit of ofrenda altars in celebration of Dia de Muertos through Nov. 3. The DIA partnered with Detroit’s Mexican Consulate, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and MexicantownCDC for the community exhibition, featuring various objects important to lost loved ones, like favorite foods, drinks, mementos and pictures. More information at dia.org.

The Congregation is hosting a solo exhibition titled “Undeniable Joy” by local artist Ashley Menth through the month of October. Featuring vibrant and expressive scenes, Menth’s work will be on display through Oct. 28, with a special reception planned from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 12.