Local athletes and cheerleaders will be part of the fun and fundraising included in Haven Place’s annual Family Day event on August 20.
Family Day will take place from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm in the area of Main Street between Haven Ridge Road and Division Street in downtown New Haven. Entry to the event is free.
“Haven Place will be accepting donations the day of the event,” said Tina Nagy, CEO of Haven Place. “We will also have donation buckets for the carnival rides. We will be doing a 50/50 raffle during the event, you don’t have to be present to win. All proceeds from the 50/50 will go to Haven Place and its classes, free events and activities”.
Activities at Haven Place Park will begin at 9am with live music, followed by live entertainment from Magnify The Son at 10am.
The New Haven’s Got Talent competition will take place at Haven Place Park at 11am. The event is for young people aged 17 and under to perform in categories which could include singing, comedy, magic, dance and drama. Registration closes Aug. 13, Nagy said. Registration forms can be found at havenplaceinc.weebly.com or by calling 586-484-8540. There is no cost to participate. Registered participants check in at Haven Place Park by 10:40am
Acts requiring more than 12 feet of ceiling height are not permitted, and acts have five minutes to perform. Participants are limited to one performance during the show, and pre-recorded vocals are prohibited.
Contest rules provided by Nagy state that acts must also contain at least one resident of the Village of New Haven or Lenox Township, or at least one person who attends a New Haven or Lenox Township school district. The rules also state that profanity, vulgar lyrics, clothing that advertises alcohol, tobacco and drugs, pyrotechnics and open flames are prohibited in the acts. The contestants’ comedy acts and attire should also be familiar.
A sound technician and microphone will be provided, but acts must provide their own recorded music, instruments and props.
Nagy said the competition will be judged by three people. Performers are scored on overall performance, technical ability, stage presence and personality, creativity, originality and entertainment value. The first place winner of the contest will receive $100; second place winner, $75, and third place winner, $50.
At 12:15 pm Haven Place Park will be the site of police demonstrations. Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security will demonstrate family emergency preparedness, and the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Division will join the event.
Noah Ray Tatum will entertain at 1:00 PM at Haven Place Park, followed by Dusty Bonez at 2:00 PM. Entertainment in the park will continue at 3pm with Rachelle Lynn and the Lovely Church Boys, followed by Sweet Crystal at 4pm. Raffle winners will be announced. in the park at 5 pm
A New Haven Fire Department 5K fundraiser will take place during Family Day. The 5K will begin at Fountain Park, located at 58420 Main St. in New Haven. Check-in will take place from 7:45 to 8:45 near the fountain, and the race will begin at 9:00. The route will be from Main Street to Clark Street, via Haven Ridge Road to Main Street; three times The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office will be present during the 5K.
Registration for the 5K opened in early April with the pre-registration fee of $20 per participant. Registration after August 13 is $25 per person. Registration is available until the day of the 5K at 8am. Children 12 and over are free. Registration and payment forms can be found at signupgenius.com/go/5080e45aba62ea0fa7-newhaven.
Other events at Fountain Park will be free children’s entertainment throughout the day, including carnival rides, carnival games, a water slide, bounce houses, south zone and bubbles and more. A free petting zoo with horse and pony rides will be available for children from noon to 3 p.m. A clown magic show hosted by the Jean Waterloo Lenox Township Library will take place at 1 p.m.
Free medical tests will be carried out throughout the event.
Family Day Shopping will feature vendors selling items ranging from food to crafts, art and jewelry.
Haven Place is located at 58575 Main St. in New Haven. John and Tina Nagy founded Haven Place in 2014, and the nonprofit celebrated its grand opening in March 2015. It now offers classes and events such as tutoring for children and adults and youth camps. The organization also hosts fundraising events throughout the year.
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for MediaNews Group.
