We went Friday afternoon/evening. We were there from 3:30-8.
I found a great spot on Huron St again this year – in a meter with a no parking during the parade sign. However, Ypsi should really look into the epark meters that Ann Arbor has. We had to make a run back to put change in to last until 6 (we didn’t have enough).
We timed our visit for the beginning of Colors the Clowns show since she had been a big hit the week before at Dexter Daze. However, she couldn’t compete with the lure of activities – climbing structures, ride ons, and a bounce house in the children’s area. Also, I don’t think the stage was as conducive to paying attention as in Dexter. The kids had a great time and were able to burn off a lot of energy.
The Girl Scouts had perfectly timed craft projects. About the time they finished their setup the rain shifted from a sprinkle to steady, so the adults in my group took refuge in the kids craft tent with my daughter who did the crafts. Most of the kids in our group were in the bounce house which was covered. My daughter won’t go near bounce houses, so at least she had a sheltered activity to keep her content. Also in the activities tent was a sand table which absorbed my daughter for at least 45 minutes.
The free kids activities were so engrossing that we stayed there for about 3 hours before venturing out for dinner (at which point the rain had stopped). We ended up getting a variety of food from the food trucks. Much to the adults chagrin the kids weren’t enamored by the butterfly chips so 4 of us had to eat two orders. There were picnic benches behind the food tent and we were able to secure one fairly easily. There was also a fair amount of open area there that our kids were able to run around and play tag (further wearing themselves out). We all got a treat of lemon or fruit slush and then headed out. We didn’t even get a chance to wander through the rest of the festival and see any of the craft booths.
They do have a section with large inflatables and a rock wall that you can pay to use. The free kids activities and one smaller bounce house were sufficient for our preschool-1st graders so we didn’t need to use the pay ones. Older children will likely be bored by the free kids activities and want to do the inflatables. Personally, we still miss the rides that they had two years ago. For us, they were a much bigger draw than inflatables which my daughter won’t go near.
We were sad to miss this years parade. We really enjoyed last years parade. We had booked tickets for Day out with Thomas in Flint without thinking of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival.
