(WXYZ) — Millions of Americans typically take to the skies and hit the highways on Labor Day weekend.
But AAA anticipates COVID-19 will keep many people closer to home. The good news: Major events are going virtual to help your end-of-summer plans.
As the saying goes: The show must go on.
7 Action News reporter Darren Cunningham spoke with several people who are making the best of a unique situation, as well as an organizer of the Detroit Jazz Festival, which starts Friday.
"My end-of-summer plans are to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm going to walk every day," said one metro Detroiter.
"Trying to do the best we can," said another.
"My girlfriend and I are headed down to the Appalachian trail for about a week."
"I'd like to maybe go Up North, go to the lake or maybe something like that."
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, metro Detroiters are finding alternative ways to spend Labor Day weekend.
A disappointing time for many, some of the weekend's major events have been canceled this year – at least in-person.
Events like the State Fair, Arts, Beats and Eats and the Detroit Jazz Festival, which all draw large crowds, are still hosting online events.
"You're going to be able to keep yourself and your family entertained throughout the whole Labor Day weekend," said Michigan State Fair spokesperson McKenzie Bowman.
It's guarantee from the state fair echoed by organizers of the Jazz Fest.
"Here we are with 12 hours a day of continuous programming, coming from three custom built sound stages, three camera shoots on every stage," said Chris Collins, president of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. "High definition all the way. We're looking to raise the bar with what an online jazz festival can look like."
Collins says it'll stream from the Marriott in the Renaissance Center, with CDC guidelines being followed to safely accommodate musicians.
"And by the way, all live. These are not pre-recorded. These are not zooms from people's houses. This is all live on our three sounds stages, and I think people are going to find this is a very immersive experience," Collins said.
You catch the performances through the links below:
