{"id":2115786,"date":"2025-10-26T01:22:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T01:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2115786"},"modified":"2025-10-26T01:22:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T01:22:25","slug":"the-jacksons-cap-a-grand-opening-day-as-ralph-wilson-park-impresses-detroit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-jacksons-cap-a-grand-opening-day-as-ralph-wilson-park-impresses-detroit\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jacksons cap a grand opening day as Ralph Wilson Park impresses Detroit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A performance by the Jacksons punctuated a festive opening Saturday, Oct. 25, at Detroit\u2019s glistening new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Motown-bred band once known as the Jackson 5 served up a 65-minute set of nostalgic hits as crowds packed the DTE Foundation Summit, a hillside area on the west end of the 22-acre riverside park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Jacksons, part of a four-stage music lineup set to run through Sunday, Oct. 26, were headliners for Ralph Wilson Park\u2019s inaugural weekend as the site celebrated its grand opening after eight years in the works.<\/p>\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Jackie Jackson, left, and Marlon Jackson perform as the Jacksons on grand opening day at Ralph Wilson Park in Detroit, Oct. 25, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"779\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/LhXJlUwwUrE..gHcvB3_hw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc3OTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/detroit-free-press\/e168b3f2df95e9c9692009b00b39f476\"\/><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Jackie Jackson, left, and Marlon Jackson perform as the Jacksons on grand opening day at Ralph Wilson Park in Detroit, Oct. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">By late Saturday afternoon, the park was closing in on 30,000 first-day visitors, said Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CEO Ryan Sullivan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">For the Jacksons \u2014 now helmed by brothers Jackie, 74, and Marlon, 68 \u2014 the gig was a chance to be part of history in Motown\u2019s backyard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWhen they called us to come do this event, we said: \u2018Detroit is our second home. Of course we\u2019ll come!\u2019\u201d Marlon Jackson told the audience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The infectious boogie of \u201cCan You Feel It\u201d launched a set that spanned the group\u2019s catalog of pop-soul and rock-tinged funk, as the brothers delivered bursts of slick moves and choreography tightly honed through six decades of stage work.<\/p>\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Crowds at Detroit's Ralph Wilson Park as seen from the stage during a performance by the Jacksons on Oct. 25, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/8KQHJUI6EBDVEX6n3oHDwQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/detroit-free-press\/719b37db5bc2b197df2644a46b1dce68\"\/><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Crowds at Detroit&#8217;s Ralph Wilson Park as seen from the stage during a performance by the Jacksons on Oct. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Fans in vintage Jackson 5 jackets and Motown apparel became dancing machines of their own, screaming to the brothers as if it were 1970 at Olympia Stadium once again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The show included a retrospective video set to \u201cGone Too Soon\u201d by late brother Michael Jackson before a salvo of early career hits \u2014 \u201cI Want You Back,\u201d \u201cABC,\u201d \u201cThe Love You Save,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll Be There\u201d \u2014 revived the upbeat tone that dominated the performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A pair of vocal accompanists handled the bulk of the Michael parts for a set that ultimately wrapped with an extended workout of 1979\u2019s \u201cShake Your Body (Down to the Ground).\u201d The group&#8217;s five-piece band was highlighted by Tommy Organ, a Detroit guitarist and longtime Jackson family collaborator.<\/p>\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Detroit guitarist Tommy Organ, center, joins Marlon Jackson, left, and Jackie Jackson as the Jacksons headline opening-weekend festivities at Detroit's Ralph Wilson Park on Oct. 25, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"768\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/vOe612GH5CHZ_LqKLMZOcw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2ODtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/detroit-free-press\/69bc895b89e747511e6e3dc5599e1350\"\/><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Detroit guitarist Tommy Organ, center, joins Marlon Jackson, left, and Jackie Jackson as the Jacksons headline opening-weekend festivities at Detroit&#8217;s Ralph Wilson Park on Oct. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Jacksons\u2019 appearance was part of a lively opening day at Ralph Wilson Park, where metro Detroiters streamed in for a first look at the $80 million site and its opening-weekend array of family attractions, food trucks and Halloween activities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The park, backdropped by the Ambassador Bridge on one end and the downtown skyline on the other, is an impressive site and seems destined to quickly assume status as an iconic Detroit locale.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While Ralph Wilson Park won\u2019t be competing for the sorts of major concert events hosted down the riverfront by Hart Plaza and the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, the conservancy does hope to present regular music programming at the site, said chairman Matt Cullen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The free grand opening festivities will continue Sunday at Ralph Wilson Park, including another round of music on four stage:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><strong>Summit Main Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">4:30 p.m.: Larry Lee &amp; Back in the Day Band<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><strong>Michigan Lottery Southwest Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Noon to 1 p.m.: Ballet Folklorico de Detroit<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">1:45-2:45 p.m.: Cesar Aquino<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">3:40-4:25pm: Mariachi Los Gallos De Oro<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">5:15-6:15 p.m.: Gabriel Duran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">6:45-7:45 p.m.: Roots Vibrations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><strong>Soaring Eagle 8<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Street Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Joe Reilly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">2:30-3:30 p.m.: Laura Rain &amp; The Caesars<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">4-8 p.m.: Detroit House Collective featuring KRW, Rachael Parker, and Lytskin Dave<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><strong>Coffee House<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Kenneth Wallace<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">2-3:30 p.m.: Detroit Drum &amp; Dance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">5:30-6:30 p.m.: Maxwell Rinc\u00f3n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/entertainment\/music\/brian-mccollum\/2025\/10\/25\/the-jacksons-ralph-wilson-park-detroit-grand-opening\/86906541007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Jacksons headline Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Park opening day in Detroit;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Jacksons headline Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Park opening day in Detroit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A performance by the Jacksons punctuated a festive opening Saturday, Oct. 25, at Detroit\u2019s glistening new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park. The Motown-bred band once known as the Jackson 5 served up a 65-minute set of nostalgic hits as crowds packed the DTE Foundation Summit, a hillside area on the west end of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2115787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25173],"tags":[401091,23427,401092,379960,66715,401088,401090,401089],"class_list":["post-2115786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artists","tag-centennial-park","tag-detroit","tag-dte-foundation-summit","tag-grand-opening","tag-jackson","tag-jacksons","tag-marlon-jackson","tag-ralph-c-wilson"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The-Jacksons-cap-a-grand-opening-day-as-Ralph-Wilson.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2115786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2115788,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115786\/revisions\/2115788"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2115787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2115786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2115786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2115786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}