2015.008.135

U-Matic

Freedom Festival Opening @ Fox Theatre, 4-5-89

U-Matic S tape containing footage of Christmas decorations in the New Center area, displays at the Christmas Carnival, restaurants, and of part of the event at the Fox Theatre announcing the 1989 International Freedom Festival on April 5, 1989.

Following a test pattern and a countdown, the tape begins with footage of trees decorated with lights in New Center Park, and along the median of Grand Boulevard. Jazz plays in the right channel from the later recording of the Freedom Festival event, while a partial voice-over about the lights plays in the left channel.

After a cut, the tape then feature a series of shots taken at Cobo Hall during the Christmas Carnival. These include a Santa Claus statue, a scene of green aliens and a rotating flying saucer, and a choir of children.

Following a brief shot of Christmas decorations in the store, the Detroit People Mover is filmed passing from below. The neon sign in the window of the Fisher Building location of Pegasus is then shown, followed by the neon sign outside of the Greek Islands Restaurant and Bar in Greektown., and for the Cafe Rio. Several shots then follow of dishes and diners, presumably inside of Cafe Rio.

Then the camera returns to the display of Christmas lights along Grand Boulevard near Second Avenue.

The remainder of the tape was shot at the April 5, 1989 press event held at the Fox Theatre to announce the events of that year's International Freedom Festival. This segment opens with a shot of the two remoted controlled cars on the track for the First Annual Duckie 500, a remote controlled car race between Detroit mayor Coleman A. Young, and Windsor mayor John Millson. The William Paterson New Jazz Ensemble introduce themselves, then are shown performing. All members wear red Southern Comfort sweatshirts. As the band continues to perform, the camera captures several shots of statues and other elements the lobby's architecture, and of a banner for the Wheels of Freedom Antique Auto Show and Parade, scheduled for June 24th.

Next the camera rolls as a procession of Freedom Festival officials, including Mayors Young and Millson, file past a group of kilted bagpipers from the Windsor Police Department, and a U.S. Navy Color guard down the lobby's steps. Windsor, Ontario Mayor John Millson wears his racing jumpsuit, (presented in video 2015.008.135) while Coleman A. Young instead wears a suit.

At the podium master of ceremonies Jac LeGoff introduces Damon Taylor, who sings "O Canada," and "The Star-Spangled Banner." During the national anthems, the camera turns to Young. LeGoff discusses the rubber duckie race tradition, then recognizes International Freedom Festival president Margaret Williams and the Windsor Executive Committee and the Detroit Executive Committee. He then calls Mike Ilitch to the podium.

Ilitch talks about his involvement in the Freedom Festival, and begins listing the planned events--the Budweiser Spirit of Detroit Trophy Race, the Freedom Festival 10-Mile Run, the Wheels of Freedom auto show, the George E. Van Memorial Regatta, a Michigan-produced film festival, the Tug Across the River, Cinema Canada at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Children's Day in the Cultural Center, Fort Night at Fort Wayne, McDonald's Gospel Fest in Hart Plaza, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's first performance in Hart Plaza, a visit from the U.S. Navy's U.S.S. BOULDER, Project Unite Helping Hands--a 24 mile human chain on Woodward Avenue to recognize volunteers, and the Hudson's Freedom Festival Fireworks.

LeGoff then introduces Margaret Williams to discuss Canadian events. This include the docking of the H.M.C.S. CORMORANT; concerts by Glass Tiger, the Canadian Brass, and Alexander Zonjic; an animated dinosaur display; Children's Day; the Canada Day parade; midway rides; Voyager's Village; the Rum Runner's Ball; the Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds; a hot air balloon race; and an international tennis tournament. She invokes the "Two Nation Vacation" slogan, and announces winner of the Paul Lutzier Award--Rod Beaton who revived the tugboat race.

John Millson then addresses the crowd. He thanks Ilitch for his jumpsuit and jokes about Young not wearing his.

Next, Coleman A. Young, honorary chairman of the Freedom Festival mentions the recent Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, and partnerships between the cities like the joint port authority. The tape ends during Young's address, and the recording is continued on tape 2015.008.136.

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 handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information Video Production label on its cover.

Date

1989

Collection

Events

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