  Jenay Member Username: Jenay Post Number: 177 Registered: 06-2005 |
They still haven't updated their website yet. It's driving me bonkers. 'Plans for 2007 coming soon.' Oops... it's now called the Detroit Winter Blast. (Message edited by Jenay on January 16, 2007) | ||
Scs_scooter Member Username: Scs_scooter Post Number: 13 Registered: 07-2006 |
I rec'd an email around the 8th of January asking if I wanted to volunteer again. Of course I responded with a big YES...haven't heard a thing since. They said the Blast is February 9, 10 and 11. Just keeping my fingers crossed!! | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 188 Registered: 10-2004 |
I have been checking the site quite frequently as well, and, although they still have not listed most information, dates were provided today. Look at "Music Stages", etc. and you'll see that deadlines have now been posted. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 300 Registered: 04-2006 |
<object><param></param><param> </param><embed></embed></objec t> /\ /\ /\ (me trying to embed movie...) if it doesn't work, just copy and paste link below... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =vUUTLu76hxY&NR video about it from Jan. 2nd... but i'll also embed it... | ||
Skipp Member Username: Skipp Post Number: 111 Registered: 06-2005 |
Another good reason to visit the winterblast. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=2007701100331 | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 400 Registered: 03-2006 |
I like | ||
Bigjeff Member Username: Bigjeff Post Number: 35 Registered: 08-2006 |
Or possibly this is another good reason. Way before my time though. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20070117/ENT 07/70117021 | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4298 Registered: 11-2004 |
Bravo to the people for getting it off the ground again. | ||
Fnemecek Member Username: Fnemecek Post Number: 2310 Registered: 12-2004 |
The only detail about Detroit's Winter Blast that I know for sure is that Detroit Synergy has been asked to do another version Shop Detroit for all three days. | ||
Scs_scooter Member Username: Scs_scooter Post Number: 14 Registered: 07-2006 |
Yipee!! Rec'd my email today asking me to register for my shifts for the Winter Blast. It's almost here!! | ||
Jenay Member Username: Jenay Post Number: 178 Registered: 06-2005 |
Woo wee! They finally updated the website! | ||
Valkyrias Member Username: Valkyrias Post Number: 419 Registered: 02-2005 |
wow, they must have been in quite a hurry to get the info up on that site, because in reading through just a few different areas, i found lots of misspelled words and other very obvious errors. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11172 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ok, I really hate the comments added to every Freep article online. However, at the bottom of the story about Question Mark somebody added a comment "Fire Millen." I had to chuckle, am I going to hell? | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 328 Registered: 05-2006 |
Anyone going this weekend? I'm torn between the Winter Blast and the MSU-UM hockey game. I guess it will depend on the temperature. It sounds stupid, but it's too cold for a winter blast unless it warms up a little. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 258 Registered: 11-2006 |
Whats there to be torn about?!?!? Both are in Downtown Detroit on the same weekend. Do both. I am | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 329 Registered: 05-2006 |
I'm going with a group and not all want to attend both. I think I will end up at both. Blast during the day, game at night. GO GREEN! | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 191 Registered: 10-2004 |
I will be in attendance with a group as well, going to both the blast and the game. Looking forward to this weekend. | ||
Bigjeff Member Username: Bigjeff Post Number: 43 Registered: 08-2006 |
<----Will be in attendance with many "suburbanites." I'm even looking at a few residence downtown. This is one suburbanite that with every trip is both intrigued and astonished with Downtown Detroit!!! | ||
Imperfectly Member Username: Imperfectly Post Number: 203 Registered: 06-2004 |
Bigjeff there are about 4 units for sale in my building !!!!!!! www.lelandlofts.com | ||
Detroitrulez Member Username: Detroitrulez Post Number: 138 Registered: 12-2006 |
man. by and large, with a few exceptions, that is a lame-o music lineup(classic Witz). It's like the Arts Beats and Eats local roster. If you have ever been in a bar with a band playing in metroit over the past 10 years, there's a good chance you have seen many of the "headliners." | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 94 Registered: 10-2003 |
I hope your few exceptions at least include the Twistin' Tarantulas and The Reefermen. Pistol Pete... Now that guy can slap a bass. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 265 Registered: 11-2006 |
Umm, there was no one there last night! Greektown on a normal night has more ppl than it did last night. Completely empty! Disapointment... If they do this next year, they need to coordinate it with the Auto Show like year number 1 | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 103 Registered: 10-2003 |
If they do this next year, they need to coordinate it with God so its not so damn cold. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 456 Registered: 10-2006 |
Winter=cold! It is better that it be cold than warm, is it not? | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2006 |
Just in case you haven't seen the Campus Martius web cam, here it is. http://campusmartiuspark.org/w ebcam.htm (Message edited by hans57 on February 10, 2007) | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1330 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think it was pretty well attended last night. There were a lot of people walking around. Saw Question Mark and the Mysterians last night and they were great! The comfort level inside the tent, which was packed, was more than adequate. Can't believe someone would complain about the temperature. This is Michigan. It gets cold in the winter. When it gets cold, you get to have snow. Snow means a more aesthetically-pleasant Winter Blast. And so it goes. Cold temperatures build character. Tough it out. If you can't handle the cold, move to some lame place like Florida or Arizona. Sheesh. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 458 Registered: 10-2006 |
Looks like a good bit of people to me, esp. for being WINTER on the WEEKEND in downtown Detroit. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 459 Registered: 10-2006 |
WWJ is down there too broadcasting | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 1138 Registered: 02-2004 |
My coworkers went to see the Tarantulas last night and said there were a lot of people. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11234 Registered: 10-2003 |
Attendance seemed way down last night, but Twisted Tarantula played to a packed tent. The rink was packed with people all night as well. There was a bar crawl last night as well in which was $5 to be part of, they provided the shuttle bus. Seemed like a really good turnout for that, as the bars that were participating were all packed with people. I closed the night out at Cheli's, which was packed as 2 am approached. Normally, they close at 12 on Fridays, so the crawl really benefitted them. All was good, till the drunk crawler a few seats down decided to throw up on the bar. Somebody buy that guy another shot! lol | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 1033 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: I like this. Future Mich. advertising slogan/bumper sticker?  | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 1124 Registered: 03-2006 |
downtown is packed right now! | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1097 Registered: 01-2004 |
What are some of the good musical acts to try out? | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 275 Registered: 04-2004 |
I was down both yesterday and today. Today was it was really packed downtown. Nice to see Woodward's sidewalks crowded. | ||
Gianni Member Username: Gianni Post Number: 281 Registered: 05-2004 |
Alvin Youngblood Hart will be jamming tonight (saturday) at 11:00 with "some great musicians." If it is half as good as what I saw earlier tonight it will be awesome. Be there. North Woodward Tent. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4462 Registered: 11-2004 |
Loved the crowds! I can't believe that this event almost didn't happen. If anything, it should prove to corporate sponsors its validity and attract more for next year. | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 343 Registered: 10-2003 |
Had a great time... started at Slows on Sat....hour and a half wait at 5:30...we lucked out with two seats at the bar...ordered dinner and conversed with everyone at the bar...Slows was packed! ...went through the tents...good crowds...should convince the city to make this a regular thing...again lucked out just in time to hear Larry Lee's Back In the Day Band. The large crowd loved the band...made it over to Detroit Beer co...another nice crowd, then back to the tents, Campus Martius, Greektown, etc. An enjoyable evening to say the least. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11238 Registered: 10-2003 |
Larry Lee's Back In the Day Band...hell yeah! I checked out their whole set as well. Damn good performance! The next band, Impact 7, great as well. Howling Diablos were playing at the same time as them, swung over to that tent for a bit, but ya couldn't even move. I think there was more than enough proof that next year they could easily support another tent or two. Did anybody check out the Greektown tent? We ventured that way friday, but I don't think we went far enough, as we didn't see it. For anyone who was there, what were the crowds like down that way? | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1358 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'm sad I could not make it this year. My wife is 38 weeks pregnant and not very mobile. We're both hoping it is back next year so we can take little one. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 8309 Registered: 12-2003 |
Perhaps they need to find out where the SuperBowl folks got those SUPERtents for their amazing 'outdoor' parties. Clearly the tents weren't big enough for the crowds...the turnout certainly WILL turn corporate heads. Shame Ford wasn't there...and the damn volume from the stages was deafening to the point of attack! THAT was during the DAY on Saturday...with children running around the front of the stage. The negligence of the sound people was too great for me to bear. | ||
Yelloweyes Member Username: Yelloweyes Post Number: 39 Registered: 02-2007 |
I guess the "If you build it they will come" principle applies to the Winter Blast. People get sick of sitting around in the winter with nothing to do. This event could be historic as it relates to getting folks from the burbs to come downtown, and change the perception positively for the city. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 8318 Registered: 12-2003 |
Read the comments on the Freep forum...more than a few suburbanites wishing to enjoy a non-sub status for a while. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1101 Registered: 01-2004 |
I like the guy on the freep forum who said something to the affect of "... this WinterBlast is a trick by the city, so that thugs can rob the suburbanites dumb enough to go there" | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11240 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey, if the shoe fits. -Supersport...aka "White thug" | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 485 Registered: 01-2006 |
I had a hell of a good time at this year's winter blast. I actually enjoyed it more than last year. Last year I felt as if we were trying to prove ourselves to the rest of America by hosting a party...which we were. But this weekend was just straight up fun. It was great to see city and suburbs come together to have a good time. It was pretty cold when the sun was not out, but not too many people complaining as there was plenty to do and see to stay warm. If I could do anything different I would have driven downtown. The 10 minute walk just about killed me on Saturday as the wind was making things feel like -5, and the walk feel like an hour. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 29 Registered: 01-2007 |
Brought another couple downtown Friday night, went to Baile Corcaigh, (good food), then to the Blast. Had a good time, but Greektown seemed to have a lighter turnout of visitors when we were there. | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 960 Registered: 11-2003 |
Supersport, there wasn't a tent in Greektown. | ||
Miketeevee Member Username: Miketeevee Post Number: 7 Registered: 07-2005 |
Had a great time at the Winter Blast on Friday. Saw Question Mark and the Mysterians. They still got it! One observation: Anyone happen to notice the high number of homeless men inside the tent? It struck me as odd. But I guess everyone needs to keep warm. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 1720 Registered: 11-2003 |
I did a short Skyscraper Tour for Preservation Wayne/Winter Blast yesterday - had 9 guests, all from the burbs. Two were regular Downtown visitors, but 7 were burbites that said they just came down because it looked like fun and they had nothing to do in the Winter. They did the tour to get acclimated. | ||
Saintme Member Username: Saintme Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2006 |
My only complaint was that they stopped selling tickets for the snow slide by 8:30pm. Bah! Other than that my friends and I had a great time. The city looked beautiful. Of course everything downtown looks especially beautiful to me when viewed from the middle of a large bustling crowd. | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2005 |
I thought it was plenty crowded on Friday (at night at least). I had to wait about 40 minutes in line to get onto the rink, and the wait for the slide was about an hour. But it was not so crowded that it was uncomfortable. Greektown was packed too when I went through around 12:30 p.m. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 335 Registered: 05-2006 |
I went on Saturday before going to the MSU/UM hockey game. It was great. Everyone seemed so upbeat. My only complaint (it's a small one!)...is that I heard on the news that all downtown parking was going to be $5 for the Winter Blast. So I went to my favorite place to park, the Opera House, and it was $10. A few of the lots around it were $10 but most in the city were $5. Not a big deal, but someone should get the info out right. I parked on Gratiot at a meter and since it was after 4:00, it was free! The tents were nice and warm, the crowd friendly. It was great and I am looking forward to next year. I hope they add more lanes to the slide. I really wanted to go down it, but it looked like it would take a couple of hours to get through the line. It was fun just watching the riders come down. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2442 Registered: 10-2003 |
The city owned lots were $5. The private ones just charged their usual rates. | ||
Bigjeff Member Username: Bigjeff Post Number: 47 Registered: 08-2006 |
Made it down to Greektown Saturday night to catch The Reefermen play a set at Fishbones. Place was jammed. Good thing a friend is a waitress there. Got us a table quick and enjoyed the Lobster Bisque. Sat watching the passersby from the casino stopping by and dancing and tapping their feet to the beat of that good ole' Motown Sound!!! Looked great seeing everyone filling the streets and such for the WinterBlast. Talked to the waitress friend and said Friday nights crowd seemed like they had a few more cocktails in them, and were a little rowdier than usual. But was a great vibe she said!!! | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2006 |
Ndavies, The City and the Winter Blast committee worked with most of the parking lot owners, including Park rite, and Miller(?) to keep rates at $5. Some individual lots charged otherwise though. Ilitch also charged $10 in his garages | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 161 Registered: 04-2006 |
All the sub-zero temperatures, for as painful as they were, couldn't have come at a better time for the snowmaking. That was probably the most beneficial mother nature maker of the week. Sloppy snow is no fun...yet by Sunday the snow slide looked like a giant ogre pooped on it it was so dirty. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3623 Registered: 08-2004 |
The head of the WinterBlast was on WDIV yesterday, and said that the total weekend turnout was something like 450,000. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1103 Registered: 01-2004 |
Not bad | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 271 Registered: 11-2006 |
350,000 were expected.... | ||
Gene Member Username: Gene Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2006 |
Here we go again with the inflated attendance figures. 705,266 people actually attended this years auto show and according to WDIV 450,000 at the winter blast, I attended both events, NO WAY. | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 149 Registered: 09-2006 |
Attendance figures are an estimate obviously but I think it's a little inaccurate to refute them unless you were there every minute each event was held. Just because it wasn't crowded at one time does not mean it's not busy at another time. I walked over three times myself (Fr/Sat/Sun). Friday was not crowded when I was there (early eve) , but Saturday and Sunday were both extremely busy. From my condo window (24th floor- looking towards Ford Field and up 175) the traffic coming in Downtown Saturday late afternoon to mid evening was extremely busy and backed up . | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 9208 Registered: 10-2003 |
Gene, what do you think the number(s) actually was? | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 964 Registered: 11-2003 |
NDavies, all of the lots in Greektown were $5 or less. Can't speak for the rest of downtown however..... | ||
Gene Member Username: Gene Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2006 |
Goat Based upon the fact that the tri county area has around 4 million people. If 450,000 people attended the winter blast that would mean that one out of every nine man women and child in the tri county area attended. No way.Lucky if 100,000 were actually there. | ||
Yelloweyes Member Username: Yelloweyes Post Number: 54 Registered: 02-2007 |
Maybe next year they can bring the Winterblast to Hall Road. They could have a tent in each parking lot and people could drive from tent to tent! | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 192 Registered: 10-2004 |
Gene - In the group of people that I attended with were people from Jackson, Lansing, Battle Creek, and Traverse City. I'm sure that other out-of-towners came for a weekend visit as well. | ||
Bpjeff Member Username: Bpjeff Post Number: 26 Registered: 01-2006 |
I went with two friends from Okemos. They made a weekend trip just to attend the Winter Blast. Also, a buddy of mine came from S. Rockwood. Technically Monroe County. In my opinion, the place was packed Saturday night. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 480 Registered: 10-2006 |
DetroitYES! | ||
Gene Member Username: Gene Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2006 |
My original point was and is the fact that the Detroit media tend to pull attendance numbers for local events out of their asses. I attended the Indy 500 2 years ago 300,000 or so people at the race track. An accurate number in my opinion based upon the known number of seats and the number of years the race has taken place. An experience of a lifetime. I have never seen so many people in one place. When you have personally seen 300,000 people and put that into perspective with what I observed last weekend times the hours of the Winterblast. No way. | ||
Korridorkid Member Username: Korridorkid Post Number: 12 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gene-bless your heart-but your friggin' ridiculous. #1 Your viewing 300, 000 people all at once! All confined in a cute little race track stand. Of course it seems huge, so does attendance at Michigan Football games. #2 Maybe there wasn't 450, 000 people there. Maybe there was. Who the hell really has that info that we can access anyway. So who are you, or I without actual documentation to venture or deny an attendance estimate!!! #3 If the media inflates the numbers...So what! The worst I could possibly think could happen from that is that Ms. John and Jane Doe from Canton, who have good jobs and dough to spend, yet slightly hesitant about Detroit, may just feel secure in the fact that there's plenty of people down there, and therefore their mortality probability gets a ragin' hell of alot better (their illusion, not mine) and they spend their dough in the D... Why on God's green earth are you arguing how many people were there? What does it solve/prove? We already know that the media enjoys elaboration. Jeez! Sorry. Just a little tense. | ||
Gene Member Username: Gene Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2006 |
Korridorkid I am probably arguing for the same reasons you do/did in your previous post. Maybe you have been watching too much tv hype about the snow which has you so tense. Accuracy in reporting and getting the facts correct should be the basic premise of any "news" media was my point. What if the media started making up numbers about car sales, unemployment,crime and so on. Yes those numbers can be verified thru sources, most people however dont/wont check them. Enough said. (Message edited by gene on February 14, 2007) (Message edited by gene on February 14, 2007) | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 153 Registered: 09-2006 |
It does seem kinda silly to be arguing about attendance. From my own viewpoint I'd find it hard to not call it a success ( I realize there are some out there that do not like to hear that for some perverse reason- I guess that negates their anti Detroit stances ). There was large crowds on Sat/Sun when I was there and so so on Friday, All in all it seemed to be a very well attended event with all types of people there having a great time. This by all means is a success, one all Detroiters should be proud of | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1346 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey Gene, I agree with you. Like you said, the Winter Blast was a flop and should be canceled next year. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 8383 Registered: 12-2003 |
Let's just cancel WINTER. That'd be a blast. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3632 Registered: 08-2004 |
I have a question... how can anyone determine that the 700,000+ number for the auto show was not accurate, unless you attended every day?? I'm dying to hear the logic behind this one! | ||
Gene Member Username: Gene Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2006 |
Gistok Type in www.nais.com/SubPage.aspx?id=2 46 on your computer and see the facts no logic needed. (Message edited by gene on February 14, 2007) | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 279 Registered: 11-2006 |
Tickets sold Gistok | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 704 Registered: 10-2003 |
If little Mortimer goes down the slide at the Winter Blast but no one is there to see it, did it really happen? | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1349 Registered: 10-2003 |
Gene doesn't think so. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 282 Registered: 11-2006 |
Its similar to the Techno Fest. They always estimated that 1 MILLION ppl were at the event. They sold tickets, and it was only 40,000. |
