Get ready for a day of free family fun at Clark Park on Saturday, January 18 when the Clark Park Coalition hosts its 13th Annual Winter Carnival and outdoor charity classic hockey games. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun from 12noon to 4 p.m. for ice skating, a petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of Southwest Detroit, roasting marshmallows, savoring s’mores, exploring the nature van from Huron Metro Parks, outdoor games, and a very special visit from Detroit fire fighters.
Hockey fans are invited to cheer on the teams starting at 6 p.m. when the action moves to the women’s charity hockey game, followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.
“We expect up to 1,000 people to come out and enjoy the day,” said event director and Clark Park business manager Kate Brennan. The day’s activities and attendance at the hockey games are free of charge.
“This is the 11th year we’ve included the Winter Classic hockey games with the Carnival,” said Brennan. Free Press columnist and former Fox 2 investigative reporter M.L. Elrick and attorney Mike Rataj established the charity hockey games in 2015.
Players raise funds and donate money to participate in the charity hockey games. The Winter Carnival and Charity Hockey Classics are the major fundraisers for Clark Park, which is also supported by Patronicity, which hosts an online fundraiser at patronicity.com/ClarkPark2025. “No donation is too big or too small,” Brennan said, “And it all helps us provide activities for kids year-round.”
Winter Carnival sponsors include DTE Energy Foundation Fund, Huntington Bancshares Fund, Henry Ford Health, Watchmen Ink, Thomas Magee’s Sporting House and Whiskey Bar, the Brennan Group, the Allen Rice Fund and Credit Union One. Clark Park is located just off I-75 at 1130 Clark Avenue in the heart of Southwest Detroit.
Call 313 841 8534 or visit www.clarkparkdetroit.com for further information.
