U-Matic

Freedom Fest 90 / Duckie 500 @ Fox, 5-29-90

U-Matic S tape containing footage shot at the second annual Duckie 500, a remoted controller car race held between the mayors of Detroit and Windsor as part of the kick-off celebration for the International Freedom Festival. The event features mayors Coleman A. Young and John Millson, and is held in the lobby of the Fox Theatre.

The video open with Jac LeGoff introducing Jac LeGoff introduces Harold Taylor to sing the National Anthem. The recording cuts as he begins "O Canada."

The recording returns with John Archambault, Detroit's chairman of the International Freedom Festival, at the podium announcing some of the festivals events. The camera again cuts away in the middle of his speech.

Then Windsor mayor John Millson is filmed at the podium. He reflects on the U.S.'s position in world affairs. As a token of gratitude, he presents Young with a Canadian flag.

Master of ceremonies Jac LeGoff then introduces Mayor Coleman A. Young, who takes to the stage clad in his special Duckie 500 jacket which he was presented with during a press conference the previous month (see U-Matic tape 2015.008.139). Young reflects on the festival, its future, and the connection between the two countries. Young closes by joking about his recent string of losses in the Duckie events.

After a cut, the two mayors are filmed holding their remote controlled cars, and then they briefly practice with the cars on the course before the race. During the race both mayors have trouble maneuvering the cars, to the amusement of the crowd. After a cut, in the brief final shot Millson is shown holding the trophy.

The video is on a 3M UCA-30s U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching U-Matic case with a matching spine label across its cover.