Things to do in Detroit around the NFL Draft

Downtown will be packed with events this week as people from across the country visit the city, perhaps for the first time.

What's happening: Several outdoor parties and interactive events are taking place outside the draft footprint:

📺 The Downtown Detroit Partnership will host parties at five downtown parks Thursday-Saturday with live music, vendors and local food trucks and a live feed from the draft.

• Party sites are Grand Circus Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Capitol Park, Beacon Park and a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue near State Street.

📺 Columbia Street along Woodward , the space across from Comerica Park maintained by Olympia Development, will host a free event Thursday with a draft broadcast.

• Participating restaurants with food and drink specials include Frita Batidos, Jo Jo's Shake Bar, Sahara and Union Assembly.

🍻 The "pocket park" next to The Siren Hotel on Broadway will have wings, pizza logs, fries, beers and specialty cocktails all day Thursday as part of the hotel's tailgate party.

🌃 Woodward light projection: A cool view of animated football and Detroit icons will be projected on the building façade on the 1200 block of Woodward Avenue from 8-11pm Thursday and Friday nights.

👟 StockX is bringing interactive and immersive pop-up events to the heart of downtown. The experience welcomes guests into the world of sneakers. Take a chance at a life-size "Grail Vault" to win free sneakers, collectibles and site credit.

• From noon-8pm Thursday and Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday at 1528 Woodward Ave.

🏎️ Parker's Alley on Farmer Street will celebrate Detroit vintage, from sports to cars. There will be a pop-up bar, giveaways, a vintage car "photo moment" and more.

🏈 Inside the draft footprint, Bud Light Backyard Bars will sell beer and seltzer, while a "Taste of Detroit" tailgate will offer more than 20 local restaurants in booths and trucks.

• Restaurants include M Cantina, Detroit 75 Kitchen, Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles, Bangkok 96, Lockeroom Sports Bar, Eminem's Mom's Spaghetti and more.

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