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Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit throughout November 2022
The leaves and temperatures may be rapidly dropping, but the Detroit region's outdoor events calendar will stay vibrant throughout November. Here is the Expedition Detroit rundown of the top ten outdoor events that we're excited about attending. Happy Turkey Month!
You read it here first: November is the most underrated month for outdoor recreation throughout the entire year.
While some recreationists may be tempted to view this month as a "shoulder season" - the transitory guide from the peak autumn colors of October to the fresh snowfall of December - we are immensely excited about the outdoor action that you can only experience during November, especially when it comes to these 10 premiere outdoor events.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to publish that we're extremely thankful for the hosts and vendors that brave the cooling temperatures to stage these end-of-season events. We invite you to share in our gratitude by joining in with one, two, or all of these top 10 outdoor events for November.
1. Run with the Dead for DÃa de los Muertos
November 5th | Southwest Detroit | 9 a.m.
Spoiler alert - this Saturday, November 5th, will be a jam-packed day for outdoor events in the Detroit region. The festivities begin with Detroit's predominantly Latinx community that will continue to honor and celebrate the dear-departed well into the first week of November. El DÃa de los Muertos - "the Day of the Dead" in Spanish - is one of the most widely-celebrated cultural holidays across the United States, especially among Southwest Detroit's residents of Mexican heritage. As part of the festive celebrations, the Southwest Detroit Business Association is hosting its annual "Run of the Dead" 5K/10K race and fundraiser for the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest. Don't forget to pack in family photos of your ancestors to add to the festival's ofrenda.
2. Burn Through the Trails at the Bonfyre Trail Fest
November 5th | Waterloo State Recreation Area | 10 a.m.
While colorful running skeletons will own the streets of Southwest Detroit, the trails on the western rim of the Detroit region will also be set ablaze with excitement on Saturday morning during the Bonfyre Trail Fest. Bonfyre represents the last event of RF Event's fantastic "GOAT Trail Series" for the 2022 season, and will include 5, 10, and 18-mile trail races. The perks of this trail runner's dream event go far beyond the post-race beer garden, live music, and roaring bonfire - we at Expedition Detroit simply can't wait to run the famous, roller-coaster DTE Energy Foundation Trails at Waterloo State Recreation Area. We will see you across the finish line and at the bonfire (beer in hand)!
3. Give a Hoot at the Owl Festival
November 5th | Oakwoods Metropark | 6 p.m.
Closing out the triple-crown for November 5th, Oakwoods Metropark is hosting its family-centered "Owl Festival" this Saturday evening. Described as a celebration of "everything owl," this festival will feature exhibits and activities intended to highlight and educate on all of the different species of owls found within Michigan. Specific events will include owl pellet dissection, games, crafts, owl presentations, and several owl prowls.
4. Run the Stony Creek Marathon
November 6th | Stony Creek Metropark | 10 a.m.
Marathoners, rejoice! While most regions close up shop for racing season in October, Detroit has saved one of its best and most scenic for the tail-end of the year. Stony Creek Metropark will host its annual marathon event this Sunday morning, which also includes 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and 50K events. So whether you're trying to squeeze in one last 5K before the real end of the season - or have a crazy 50K itch that needs to be scratched for you wild ultra runners - the Stony Creek Marathon has the perfect race for you!
5. Get in the Woods for Whitetail Deer Firearm Opening Day
November 15th | Statewide in Michigan
Waking up on the morning of November 15th in Michigan can be an interesting experience for non-hunters. No, it's not a delayed Fourth of July party or a Civil War reenactment kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. You are in fact witnessing, as my father-in-law would say, the "official-unofficial Michigan state holiday" - the opening day of whitetail deer firearm season. The most celebrated day of the year for hunters and the single most important day of the year for the Michigan DNR's conservation efforts. A festive day that we at Expedition Detroit encourage all of our readers to participate in, even if that's just by purchasing a tag to financially support the DNR's operations and protection of our precious natural resources.
We will be publishing an "Opening Day Checklist" article prior to the 15th, but for any non-hunters that plan on venturing into the woods on the 15th, please wear blaze orange outer clothing - especially if you are walking in the woods around sunrise or sunset hours. Even if hunting is not permitted along your typical hiking route, the gun opener has a unique ability to draw out hunters of varying degrees of experience and ethics. Be safe, be seen.
6. Celebrate National Hiking Day
November 17th | Throughout Detroit Region
Did we need the prompt of a national holiday to celebrate hiking? No, of course not. Are we stoked that one exists and will therefore celebrate excessively? Yes, of course we will! Especially in light of the wealth of hiking opportunities that we have in our region, we plan on visiting three different hiking trail hubs during National Hiking Day: one of our old favorites, a second that we've been itching to explore, and a third that remains largely unknown throughout our region. Stay tuned for that featured article as well, and also remember to wear blaze orange on your hikes (plan on doing so through the end of November, the end of the regular firearm season in Michigan).
7. Run for the Fudge of It at the Kona Chocolate Run
November 20th | Northville, MI | 9 a.m.
Kona Running Company's motto is "Run for the Fun of It." Well, for this uniquely-chocolate themed final race of their spectacular 2022 season, Kona is inviting runner's of all skillsets to run for the fudge of it during its annual Kona Chocolate Run event. Sponsored in part by Guernsey Farms Dairy, this 5K/10K race will allow - no, encourage - runners to indulge their sweet tooth with a post-race chocolate bar, complete with hot chocolate, chocolate milk, cookies, pastries, candies, coffee, and more.
8. Become "That Relative" and Run a Turkey Trot
November 24th | Various Locations
Restful holiday sleep be damned, you have a race to run! Seriously though, we wholly-endorse ignoring the social media memes, setting your alarm, and getting up early to run a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot before the holiday traditions literally and figuratively consume the rest of your day. The Detroit Parade Company's annual Turkey Trot is undoubtedly the hallmark race of the holiday, although Running Fit's Ann Arbor Turkey Trot is also a very popular event. There's an option for avid trail runners as well - Move-It Fitness will be hosting its "Turkey TRAIL Trot" at Stony Creek Metropark, which includes half-marathon, 10K, 4-mile, and 2-mile trail races for participants.
9. Exchange Consumerism for a Black Friday Spent Outside
November 25th | Various Locations
Stick it to the consumerist machine! Or don't, we really don't judge here at Expedition Detroit. However, if you do decide to follow the outdoor industry's lead to #OptOutside, then do we have the perfect events for you!
Mountain Bikers: The Potowatomi Mountain Biking Association is leading a group ride on Black Friday at 10 a.m. across Rolling Hills and Hewens Creek Parks, covering a total of 15 miles of single track and gravel riding. Launching from the Rolling Hills Lodge, the ride will cover about 7 miles at Rolling Hill and 6 miles at Hewens Creek. Post-ride pizza and refreshments will be waiting for you back at the Rolling Hills Lodge.
Trail Runners: Yes, the late-season races keep coming! Trivium Racing will continue its annual Thanksgiving weekend racing tradition, the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler trail race. The pristine trails of Proud Lake State Recreation Area will host the event - this is the only race that I've ever heard of being hosted at Proud Lake, so that alone provides a great reason to register. We're also thankful for the perfect excuse for going for that second (ok, third) plate during Thanksgiving dinner.
10. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve
November 26th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m.
With all of the frenzy of Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rearview mirror, why not treat yourself to a little stimulus-detox by staring up into the great beyond? Well, fortunately for us, Point Pelee National Park in Ontario comes in clutch yet again as our region's sole Dark Sky Preserve - the ideal location for gazing into the cosmos and tuning out the world for an extraterrestrial outing. Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave the dropping temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos.
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We hope to cross paths with you at one or all of these events this month (ok, definitely not the firearm season opener - we’re aiming for total isolation while out in the field).
Happy November to you all - we can’t wait to see you out there!
Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.