The Detroit Tigers Opening Day party is back

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Set your alarm — the biggest party in Major League Baseball is back and no one is wasting a moment.

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After cancellation in 2020 and a hobbled effort last year with COVID-19 restrictions, the Detroit Tigers Opening Day celebration is returning Friday in all its excessive glory.

Game time, against the Chicago White Sox, is 1:10 pm Of course, any veteran home opener knows the party starts much earlier.

Tailgaters will begin setting up camp across downtown Detroit early Friday morning, and the doors to most bars, festivals and other events open at 9 am — or earlier.

“We will be open at 7 am,” said John Lambrecht, owner of Bookies Bar and Grille a few blocks from Comerica Park. “We always open up early for the diehard fans. This is really the beginning of spring for people. I think that especially coming out of COVID, people are anxious to have some normalcy. So hopefully this party will be an introduction back to that.”

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With the end of Canada’s requirement for proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return home, Windsorites can join the party relatively hassle free. But don’t forget to fill out the ArriveCan app before heading back to Windsor. And while mask mandates in Canada have largely been lifted, the government has implemented a hard-to-enforce rule that people must wear a mask in public — indoors and outdoors — for 14 days after returning from the US

If you’re going, it’s probably a good idea to bundle up and bring an umbrella. Environment Canada is forecasting 10C on Friday with a 60 per cent of rain. And you’ll have to find your own transportation. Transit Windsor has yet to resume tunnel bus service.

Some private entities are picking up the slack. Pinnacle Peak Hospitality is offering a Detroit tailgate party and a bus that leaves downtown Windsor at 9 am Friday. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

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“It’s a special day to me and it’s a pretty special day to a lot of Windsorites as well,” said company owner Chris McCall, who was born and raised in Windsor. “My dad was taking me to Opening Day when I was like five years old at old Tiger Stadium. I know how special the day is from just sitting in those bleachers back in the day. So for me it’s thrilling to be back.”

If you’re heading to the game, there are a few things to consider. There are no capacity restrictions at Comerica Park, which can hold 41,083 fans. Masks are not required. The park, including concessions, has gone cashless. All tickets are now digital. Bags, purses and clutches are prohibited.

Ballpark foodies can look forward to a dozen new menu items including the Notorious PIG, a magical combination of smoked pulled pork, mac and cheese, onion straws, pickled jalapenos and barbecue sauce on an onion roll.

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If you’re skipping the game, or plan to pre-game, you also have options.

Among them are Fillmore Detroit’s free indoor bash with live music and the game on a big screen. Doors for that open at 7 am

The Detroit Home Opener Festival on Madison Avenue, billed as the city’s largest Opening Day Party, starts at 9 am with live bands, DJs, video walls, beer tents, games and more.

Virtually every bar and restaurant in downtown Detroit is opening early and offering specials.

“We’ll have all three floors open,” said Lambrecht, whose plans also include a rooftop patio, rotating DJs, a heated parking lot tent and outdoor TVs. “We really transformed to make sure we add bars throughout the restaurant so you can literally get a beer or a drink every 20 feet. It’s a big party, so whether you have tickets to the game or not, we make sure everybody has a great time.”

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