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Events

International Freedom Festival

This cross-border festival was started in 1959 when Detroit and its Canadian neighbour, the city of Windsor on the other side of the Detroit River, decided to join forces to celebrate Independence Day and Canada Day. Today most of the carnival events take place on the Windsor side of the river, but Detroit still offers several parties and organises the spectacular fireworks display, billed as the largest in north America, that is the centrepiece highlight of the entire festival. Another popular event is the cross-river tug of war between teams from each city.

Venue: Hart Plaza, Detroit and Dieppe Park, Windsor, Ontario; Date: 23 June 2008 (Target Fireworks); Website: www.theparade.org/freedomfest

Relaxing in the sunshine © Comerica TasteFest

Comerica CityFest

The food, music and spirit of Detroit are celebrated in the downtown streets with a mixed bag of eats and entertainment. More than 35 of the city's restaurants serve up samples of their specialities to more than 350,000 visitors, who also enjoy a feast of events from skateboard challenges and movie shows to a petting zoo and arts and crafts displays. A main ingredient of the TasteFest is the music, with national and local talent performing on four stages.

Venue: New Center on West Grand Boulevard between Woodward Avenue and the Lodge Freeway; Date: 2-6 July 2008; Website: www.tastefest.com

Detroit International Jazz Festival

Detroit's annual swinging festival has become the largest jazz event in North America, now an institution after being held for a quarter of a century. The event jazzes up downtown with more than 100 concerts, late-night jam sessions and plenty of buzz in the area's 20 or so bars and restaurants.

Venue: Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park; Date: 29 August to 1 September 2008; Website: www.detroitjazzfest.com