Birmingham DPS Open House, parade return

Two beloved traditions are returning to Birmingham after the long COVID-19 hiatus, the Department of Public Services Open House and the Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade, where guests of all ages can enjoy free, family-friendly community events.

The Department of Public Services (DPS) will host its annual open house on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the DPS facility, which is located at 851 S. Eton Street. This annual event is a family favorite with loads of DPS trucks and equipment on display, informational exhibits and complimentary grilled hot dogs and other refreshments.

The open house coincides with National Public Works Week, May 15-21. This year the theme is "Ready and Resilient," highlighting the ability of public works professionals to perform their duties while being ready at a moment’s notice to react to emergencies or as first responders during natural disasters. Public works heroes help keep communities strong by providing infrastructure services in water, sewer, streets, public buildings and spaces, parks, forestry and grounds, along with emergency management.

There is no on-site parking available for the DPS Open House. Visitors may park at the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena at 2300 East Lincoln Street or utilize available on-street parking nearby.

The Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade, presented by Bank of Ann Arbor - Birmingham, will march through town on Sunday, May 15, starting at 1 p.m.

The parade, which features local businesses, civic groups and organizations, will begin near Booth Park and travel south along N. Old Woodward Avenue, west along Maple Road and finally south along Bates Street before ending in Shain Park.

Find a spot along the route to enjoy the parade featuring public safety vehicles including an antique fire engine courtesy of the Bill and Carol Olsen family, unicyclists from the Redford Township Unicycle Club, the Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham Family YMCA, Village Youth Theatre, local businesses and many others.

Following the parade, there is a community celebration at Shain Park with free activities including face painting, mini train rides, a bounce house, crafts and entertainment until 4:00 p.m. A hot dog stand and ice cream truck will have items available for purchase during the event.

Parking is available at the city's parking structures, which are free all day.