CONTACT:                                                                                                      
Stephanie Carroll
Manager of Business Development & Community Relations
City of Auburn Hills
248.364.6802
scarroll@auburnhills.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SUMMER THRILLS IN AUBURN HILLS CAMPAIGN SHOWCASES CITY’S ONE-OF-A-KIND ATTRACTIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS, NATURAL WONDERS AND FUN FAMILY LOCALES 

Metro Detroiters invited to explore and experience city’s unique offerings firsthand 

Auburn Hills, MI (May 26, 2015) – The warm weather isn’t the only thing that’s just around the corner…so is the City of Auburn Hills for the thousands of metro Detroiters living and working in neighboring communities. The city has launched a new community relations campaign, Summer Thrills in Auburn Hills: Where memories are made just minutes away, designed to highlight the unique attractions and activities Auburn Hills offers for families, nature lovers, music fans, foodies, shoppers, hikers, bicyclists, skateboarders and others. 

“We’re extending an open invitation for people of all generations to discover the incredible things to do, places to go, and events to enjoy in Auburn Hills this summer,” said Mayor Kevin McDaniel. “Whether they visit for a few hours or vacation for a couple of days, once guests explore our fine city and create lasting memories, I am confident they will become enthusiastic Auburn Hills ambassadors.”  

The city’s Top 10 Summer Thrills in Auburn Hills hot spots, cool events and fun in the sun destinations for individuals, couples and families to discover include:  

#1 - 7^th Annual Clinton River Paddlepalooza (Saturday, May 30)

Paddle Up! The fun and frivolity flows at this annual canoe/kayak race and adventure river paddle down the Clinton River on a scenic eight mile course from Riverside Park in Auburn Hills to River Crest Banquet Center in Rochester Hills.
$15 pre-registration fee per person before May 23; $20 starting May 24.

#2 – “Friday Nights” Downtown Music Series (June 5 – August 21)

Toe-Tappin’ Tunes! Come one, come all to picnic, party and partake in free community concerts under the sun and stars at Riverside Park, featuring live country, oldies, blues, swing, jazz and other genres of music.
Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. 

#3 – Sounds of Summer Music Series (June 11, July 9 and August 13)

Patio Performances!The 28^th season of free live music performances takes place on the second Thursday evening of June, July and August on the back patio of the Auburn Hills Community Center.
Lawn chairs and blankets are advised.

#4– 12^th Annual River Day Fishing Derby (Saturday, June 13)

Angling For Fun! The main branch of the Clinton River in Riverside Park will be stocked with 10 to 16 inch rainbow trout on this free day of catch and release fishing with prizes for contestants up to 16 years old.
Pre-registration and fishing licenses are not required.

#5 – Downtown Summerfest 2015 (Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20)

Come One, Come All!Activities abound at this annual downtown celebration featuring a Color Me Extraordinary 5K Race in support of Easter Seals, classic car show, sanctioned Kansas City BBQ cook off, arts & crafts fair, dodgeball tournament, ice cream social, live music, children’s games and activities, and more.

#6 – CrimeOutaPalooza - National Night Out (Tuesday, August 4)

Be Kind Online! Billed as a going away party for cyberbullying, this free family event at the City Campus and Civic Center Park provides anti-bullying information, police demonstrations, fire safety tips, games, prizes, music, food and more.   

#7 – SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

Underwater Wonders!Sharks, sea horses and stingrays…oh my! Marvel at over 5,000 underwater sea creatures at this spectacular family destination featuring a mesmerizing Ocean Tunnel and interactive Touchpool Experience.
Open seven days a week. 

#8 – Great Lakes Crossing Outlets

Shop ‘Til You Drop:This shopping mecca is Michigan’s only enclosed value-regional mall as well as entertainment destination with 185 manufacturer’s outlets, traditional retail stores and restaurants.  
Open seven days a week.

#9 - The Palace of Auburn Hills  

Encore! Encore! Take in a Bette Midler, New Kids on the Block, Shania Twain and other great concerts this summer at one of the world’s premier and most innovative arenas. 

#10 – Nature Center, Golf Course, Parks & Trails

The great outdoors! Scenic sites and outdoor settings span Auburn Hills for walking, jogging, hiking, biking, skateboarding, golfing, picnicking, playing, grilling and other outdoor adventures at: 

• E. Dale Fisk Hawk Woods Nature Center (one-of-a-kind recreational attraction with six overnight log cabins and two-story lodge for meetings and activities, 80 acres of woods and meadows, groomed nature trails, marsh boardwalk, covered picnic pavilion)
• Fieldstone Golf Club (18-hole, championship-style golf course designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills, private lessons, group instruction, junior golf programs, golf leagues, corporate outings, country club quality pro shop, and restaurant)
• Clinton River Trail (2.1 mile trail surfaced with recycled asphalt)
• Civic Center Park (nature trails, fishing pond, baseball diamond, multi-sport athletic field, nine hole disc golf course, tennis courts, two play structures and swings, covered picnic pavilion with fireplace)
• Riverside Park (Clinton River path, play structure/swings, canoe launch, covered picnic pavilion with barbeque grills)
• River Woods Park (paved pathway system, basketball courts, play structure/swings, picnic area with barbeque grills)
• Skate Park (free for skateboards, in-line skates and BMX bikes)
• Manitoba Park (two acre park with play structure, sand volleyball and paved play area)
• Dennis Dearing Jr. Memorial Park (neighborhood park with fireman-themed tot-lot and swings for youngsters ages 2-5)

The City of Auburn Hills will be running contests and awarding prizes to visitors and summer fun lovers who will be encouraged to share their experiences and adventures on social media via posts and photos using the hashtag, #ThrillsInAuburnHills.

For additional information, visit www.auburnhills.org or call the Auburn Hills Parks & Recreation Department at 248-370-9353. 

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About Auburn Hills
The City of Auburn Hills is a distinguished leader in southeast Michigan. Home to 21,000 residents, as well as a workday population of approximately 100,000, Auburn Hills continues to be a thriving global business address. It is home to over 70 international corporations and hosts the World and North American headquarters for numerous outstanding businesses such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Continental Automotive Systems, Faurecia, and BorgWarner. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.