The third annual Grand Raven Festival returned to downtown Farmington with what’s likely been its biggest celebration yet. Detroit’s Gabriel Brass Band, a New Orleans jazz marching band, led revelers through the streets and parks of downtown Farmington on Friday, Sept. 30, helping to kick off a month’s worth of spooky, Edgar Allan Poe-themed October fun.

It looks like if Poe was in charge of a family-friendly, Halloween-inspired Mardi Gras. It looks like a blast.

[Related: Read “Former ArtPrize sculpture lands in downtown Farmington for the Grand Raven Festival” on Metromode.]



And though the opening night has passed, there’s no shortage of Grand Raven Festival events yet to come. The month-long event features Raven-inspired drinks from those Farmington establishments participating in the Syndicate social district; a Raven Crow decoration contest, on display throughout the month with the winners announced the week of Halloween; and Victorian walks led by the Farmington Community Library each Thursday. Also planned is an Oct. 28 movie night at Riley Park, a pumpkin carving contest, and a day’s worth of children’s Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Visit Downtown Farmington on their website and Facebook for up-to-date information for this year’s Grand Raven Festival. The festival is sponsored by GLP Financial Group, the company responsible for the Farmington State Savings Bank renovations and redevelopment.