Notes: A guide to Detroit’s 2024 NFL Draft festivities

From Corktown to Greektown, a guide to the 2024 NFL Draft events in Detroit.

After quite literally watching a clock count down in Campus Martius, the 2024 NFL Draft is finally here.

I’ve heard friends or family mention they’re considering heading downtown for the festivities, so I thought it may be helpful to put together some options.

First and foremost, if you want to attend the main draft events, you’ll need to download the NFL OnePass app or visit NFL.com/DraftAccess — there you’ll register to attend and get your QR code, which service as a pass. The app also has the most up-to-date schedule of activities and attractions.

Everyone of all ages is invited to the NFL Draft Experience, a free fan festival at Hart Plaza that lasts all three days and includes activities like immersive exhibits, taking photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and scoring autographs from current NFL players and Legends.

Meanwhile, Draft Day in the D is the name of another three-day celebration, but across Detroit’s parks. You’ll find things to do at Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park and on a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue between State and Witherell streets. Things to do include beer tents, live entertainment, cornhole tournaments, and more.

While most events are family friendly, the Detroit Free Press put together a great list of events you can take your kids to, including kicking field goals at The Corner Ballpark.

Over in Greekdown, there will be a free three-day tailgate on Monroe Street between St. Antoine and Brush Streets. From noon to midnight Thursday through Saturday, there will be two blocks full of live music, food, drinks, and games.

“The Greektown Tailgate will also have huge TV screens for sports viewing along with an emcee at the main stage. Attendees can also check out the new ESPN Bet or the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Airstream and lounge in their street activation or play a game of cornhole,” writes the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership in a press release.

Corktown is holding its own celebration, featuring food and drink specials at a variety of their bars and restaurants. There will be six viewing tents with TVs, a free shuttle service, and perhaps most importantly, a parking garage with 1,500 spots.

Speaking of transportation, the QLINE will run from Grand Boulevard to Sproat Street all three days. They’re also offering deals where you can park in certain structures for $5 and take the QLINE where you need to go. The Detroit People Mover will run for free 24 hours a day starting 7 a.m. Thursday through midnight Sunday, with trains up to every five minutes. The City of Detroit put together an even more comprehensive list of ways to get from A to B here.

Lastly, I would also recommend you Google search “NFL Draft events Detroit” as the list of bars and restaurants across Metro Detroit is never ending, even outside of the three-day event. For example, Batch Brewing Company is hosting NFL-themed trivia on Wednesday.

There are way more options for fun than I listed above, so I hope you look around — there’s something for everyone.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Check out this gallery of Lions uniforms over the years, dating all the way back to the 1930s.

• A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton did a fun exercise you all should try — when it comes to the 29th pick, what would your dream or nightmare scenario be, and what do you think is actually most likely to happen?

• HBD to our fearless leader. [Editor’s Note: it was Thursday]

• An update to the Cameron Sutton case — he’s entered a pretrial diversion program to resolve his domestic violence case, per ESPN.

• Don’t hate me for mentioning it, but in case the Matthew Stafford-returns-to-Detroit drama still lives rent free in your head, he talked about it a bit in a new documentary.

• Another meet the prospect from Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman. May or may not have included this specifically because of he’s a former Spartan.