Ann Arbor Pride 2025 was an event held in order to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community continuing past pride month. Organized by the Jim Toy Community Center, the event was held in Downtown Ann Arbor on August 2, 2025. The event included many vendors, performances, and community resources. Thousands of people came out to enjoy and support. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Ypsilanti hosted its annual Fourth of July parade on Cross Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The theme for 2025 was World War II/The Greatest Generation. Many veterans, government offices, local business, and community groups marched in the event to celebrate Independence Day. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an annual event held every summer during the month of June. Each day of the week except Monday, attendees can enjoy live music, street art, and more. The event also features movie screenings and various children's activities. This gallery covers the closing night of the festival on Sunday, June 29, 2025, including performances by featured artists such as Alex Cuba, David Zinn, and Lady Sunshine and the X Band. (Gallery by Max Taylor)
Black Pride Ypsi held a 90’s themed cookout with the goal of bringing together the Black LGBTQ+ community of Ypsilanti. The event was hosted at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, June 28, 2025. There were plenty of activities, including a bounce house, card games, line dancing, video games, and more. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Bits and Bytes is a week-long day camp at Eastern Michigan University that introduces middle school girls to coding and computer science. During the camp, girls learn to code drones, Ozobots and mini computers. (Gallery by Gabriella Payeur)
Ypsilanti’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration was held in Downtown Ypsilanti from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22, 2025. This event honors Juneteenth, a national holiday that celebrates the day the last enslaved African Americans in Texas heard of their freedom. The event highlights local Black resources, vendors, artists and performers. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Ypsi Pride was as vibrant as ever in 2025. Attendees were able to check out the nearly 100 vendors and booths spread out across three main sections. The event also featured multiple acts throughout the day between the Huron Valley Street Stage and the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. Unfortunately, Street Stage headliner Baddie Brooks wasn't able to make it due to flight delays, so Tonio Adonis and Premium Rat stepped up to fill her shoes, giving a rock star performance in her absence. (Gallery by Max Taylor and Lee Hammock)
University of Michigan Health is opening a new health center in Ypsilanti. On Thursday, May 23 2025 they hosted a celebration of the opening of the new building. There were tours of the new facilities along with speeches from those who made it possible. The Ypsilanti Health Center is located at 300 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI and will be opening to the public on June 2 2025. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Star Studio Ypsi held a hair and fashion show to get residents of Ypsilanti excited for upcoming LGBTQ Pride month. The show titled The Rainbow Runway: Hair & Fashion Show showcased the hair artistry of stylists Sylvie Morton, Andrews, and salon owner Angel Vanas. It also featured shirt designs from Liam Vella with Support the T. The event was held at Star Studio Ypsi located at 224 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 on Friday, May 16 2025. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Ypsilanti Farmers Markets celebrated their first market of the season on Saturday, May 3 2025. The Ypsilanti Farmers Market strives to bring fresh food to the people of Ypsilanti, highlight local vendors, and create community. This market was their first in the new Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace made in collaboration with Growing Hope. The market will be held every Saturday from 9AM to 1PM from March to October at the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace located at 16 S Washington St, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
First Friday Ypsi is an event which strives to create community, highlight small business, and showcase the vibrant art community of Ypsilanti. It is held on the first Friday of each month from April - December. The May First Fridays Ypsi consisted of several events in collaboration with local businesses including Riverside Arts Center, Dzanc House Gallery, Putt-R-Round, and Cold Comfort Ice Cream. Many locations were in Downtown Ypsilanti and Depot town on Friday, May 2 2025. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
The South East Asian Student Association hosted their first annual Songkran festival on Wednesday, April 23 2025 in Big Bob’s Lake House at EMU. Songkran is a celebration of the Thai New Year and is celebrated with food, family gatherings, and public water fights. The event featured a presentation on the cultural significance of Songkran, food, crafts, and a water fight. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
Rock The Patio 2025 included performances from Queso Tone, Clay Donta, Sydney, The Third Degree, The Third Son, Anthony Roperti, and more! Many of the performers were current EMU students or EMU alums. Due to rain, it took place inside the Student Center Auditorium, with usual festivities like food stands and tie-dye on the Student Center first floor on Tuesday, April 15. (Gallery by Photo Editor Max Taylor)
The EMU Public Health Fair was organized as a joint project of Eta Sigma Gamma, the university's Public Health Program, and the College of Health and Human Service on April 10, 2025, in the Student Center Ballroom. The goal of the event was to provide students with information about different health services at Eastern Michigan University and the surrounding Ypsilanti area. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
On April 8, 2025 the EMU LGBT Resource Center hosted their annual Lavender Graduation in the Student Center Ballroom. Lavender Graduation is a yearly ceremony meant to commemorate graduating students in the LGBTQ community. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
The end of year McNair Awards Ceremony took place on Friday, April 11 2025 in Halle Library and celebrated achievements of current and graduating students in the McNair Scholars Program. (Gallery by Kaleb Stanley)
Shavonne Coleman's world premier of Cause Play ran from April 3 to April 8 2025 in EMU's Legacy Theatre. Featuring ASL shadow interpretation, the play made for younger audiences was about acknowledging the superpower that already lies within you, through the fun of cosplay! (Gallery by Photo Editor Max Taylor)
The first annual Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area zine festival was held on Saturday, March 29 2025 in the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. Vendors showed up from Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Detroit and beyond to buy, sell, trade, and craft with other zine enjoyers! (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
The EMU Japanese Student Association hosted their Spring Festival on Sunday, March 30 in the Student Center. Students were able to experience a wide range of activities including traditional Japanese calligraphy, a carnival shooting gallery, making flower arrangements, board games, and more. There were also many performances in the Student Center Auditorium featuring Taiko and Koto performers, martial arts, a kids chorus, and a kimono demonstration. A free bento box lunch was also provided to a limited number of students upon signup. (Gallery by Lee Hammock)
The 2025 Student Media Gala took place Thursday, March 27, at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. Journalists and media professionals celebrated and bonded over both The Eastern Echo and Cellar Roots. The Eastern Echo Hall of Fame welcomed three new alumni inductees, Kim Kozlowski, Joe Misiewicz and Kristy Montee. Awards were given to current exceptional team members and alums. A silent auction was held to raise money for scholarships. (Gallery by Photo Editor Max Taylor)
Solutions by The State News
