Clark Park Hosts COPA Motor City Tournament & Summer Arts Freedom Fest
Clark Park in the heart of Southwest Detroit was the center of friendly competition and festivities this past weekend as the Clark Park Coalition hosted its seventh annual COPA Motor City Soccer Tournament along with its Summer Arts & Freedom Fest on Sunday, August 28.
“COPA Motor City Summer Arts & Freedom Fest is a day filled with fun for the entire family, and we were really excited to be back at the park in-person,” said COPA Motor City coordinator Matias Alvarez. “There is really something for everyone – food trucks, local artists, kid’s activities, a mercado with items for display and for sale; and, of course, our annual soccer tournament which attracts hundreds of people every year.”
Alvarez explained that COPA Motor City was formed as a way to connect and leverage synergies of resource groups from Detroit’s automotive industry leaders and their suppliers, while raising funds to support Clark Park Coalition and other organizations in the area.
This year COPA Motor City partnered with the City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Detroit Parks Coalition to present its Freedom Fest with special entertainment featuring a DJ, Hispanic dancers, salsa dancing, arts and crafts, and outdoor games and activities. “It was a day of fun for everyone,” said Clark Park Executive Director Anthony Benavides. “We were thrilled to be a part of such an exciting event to benefit our community. And, it’s great to partner with both the Parks Coalition and COPA Motor City on the same day to present so many activities for our families all at one time.”
To date, COPA Motor City has raised more than $40,000 for Clark Park. The group includes such organizations as General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, Amazon, Deloitte, DTE, The Ideal Group, Rivian, Flagstar, GTB, the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and WDIV Channel 4.