DETROIT (13 May 2008) - Details for the 2008 GM River Days, last year's summer success, were announced today at Rivard Plaza. Organized by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, The Parade Company and General Motors, the festival will kick off Friday, June 20 and culminate on Monday, June 23 with the 50th Annual Target Fireworks. GM River Days will once again take over the Detroit International Riverfront on Friday from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. and 10 - 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

"GM River Days is a perfect way for us to demonstrate and celebrate our commitment to this great city and the transformation of our spectacular riverfront," said Matt Cullen, General Manager, Economic Development and Enterprise Services, General Motors.

Free to the public, GM River Days will feature family-friendly entertainment, including last year's signature event, the DTE Energy Parade of Lights, anticipated to become the country's largest parade of lights with 50 boats expected to light up the Detroit River. Other returning favorites include the GM Cool Events, Discovery Zone, Ultimate Air Dogs, Pooch-a-Palooza Pet Walk, carnival rides, jet-ski demos, delicious food and incredible live music performed on six different stages, including another must-see performance by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on the Bank of America National Stage.

GM River Days is also making a larger splash on the Detroit River this year with the addition of a historical tall ship: The Highlander Sea. This amazing 154-foot schooner will dock at Rivard Plaza during the festival and allow visitors to explore the ship with free educational tours. Also making first-time appearances are the Detroit River Cruise, featuring up to 100 boats, and APBA Gold Cup Race exhibitions on the river.

"Last year's festival allowed hundreds of thousands of people to experience our beautiful new riverfront for the first time," said Faye Alexander Nelson, President & CEO of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. "We look forward to many more people discovering Detroit's newest jewel as they take part in all the activities, sights and sounds at GM River Days."

On land, a new 5K Saturn Fun Run, presented by Health Alliance Plan, and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame interactive sports exhibit will have festival-goers working up a sweat. Bank of America's new exhibit will feature NASCAR simulators, a show car and more. Local emerging artists will have the opportunity to display artwork alongside professionals in the first-ever Art on the River. Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor will be a new festival site featuring activities and presentations by Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The 50th Annual Target Fireworks, produced by The Parade Company, will wrap up GM River Days in grand style on Monday, June 23. The Target Fireworks is one of the largest fireworks displays in the country and can be viewed for miles along the Detroit International Riverfront.

"The Parade Company is proud to bring our community the spectacular 50-year tradition of the Target Fireworks as well as continue to produce new, multi-generational events such as GM River Days," said Joan LeMahieu, President of The Parade Company. 

General Motors is once again the headlining sponsor for River Days. Additional sponsors include Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Compuware Corporation, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Detroit Regional Chamber, DTE Energy, EDS, Great Lakes Beverage, Health Alliance Plan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, Pepsi Bottling Company, Sani-Vac, Securitas and Sprint.

Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is a 501 (c) 3 public-private partnership formed in 2003 to undertake the establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, security and programming of the Detroit International Riverfront, including the creation of a RiverWalk and all of the parks and green spaces along the Detroit International Riverfront, from the Ambassador Bridge to the MacArthur Bridge at Belle Isle and beyond. The Conservancy is funded by private and public grants and contributions. A $140 million campaign is underway to fund construction, maintenance and operations of the east RiverWalk project. To date, $93 million has been raised towards that goal.

The Parade Company
Founded in 1984, The Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation whose board of directors is comprised of key civic and corporate leaders in the greater Detroit region. The Parade Company is celebrating 82 years of Parade tradition in Detroit. The mission is to fund, create and execute the best family events in metro Detroit. The Parade Company staff, the board of directors and thousands of parade volunteers work year-round to bring a wide variety of magnificent events to the City of Detroit each year including the Target Fireworks, GM River Days and America's Thanksgiving Parade®.

General Motors
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Related Documents:

• River Days List of Activities 
  
• River Days Map