Shelby Township is ready for fun in the sun at its 2023 Summer Kickoff event. The festivities return to River Bends Park with touch-a-truck, meet and greets with firefighters and police officers, strolling princesses and superheroes, and food trucks.

From 4-8 p.m. June 9, residents can participate in the fun while getting a sneak preview of all the exciting summer programs from the Shelby Township Library, the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, and Shelby Township Parks and Recreation.

The event includes an outdoor showing of the original 1994 release of “The Lion King” at 7:30 p.m. and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for kids to take part in a live filming of Shelby TV’s award-winning show, “The Treehouse,” with host Kelsey Kobylarek at 6:30 p.m.

The Alliance for Community Media recognized Shelby TV’s and Kobylarek’s work on "The Treehouse" by naming it the nation’s top access TV children’s program for 2023.

“Kelsey Kobylarek does an amazing job connecting with our youngest residents, so this will be a great opportunity for her to engage the kids and give families a chance to start the summer in such a memorable way," Community Relations Director Brad Bates said. "After all, what kid doesn't want to see themselves on TV, let alone as part of the nation’s best access TV children’s show.”

Residents can bring children to a one-of-a-kind experience that is the live interactive taping of “The Treehouse.” Kobylarek guides a show with guests from the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Mad Science of Detroit, singing princesses and audience members. "The Treehouse Live” will air on Shelby TV and the township’s YouTube and Facebook channels for participants to relive and share this unique family activity.

“With programs like this staffed by great people working with a tremendous elected Board of Trustees, it’s not hard to see why Shelby Township was named, for the fifth-straight year, the No. 1 place to live in Macomb County,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “I think it's a reason to celebrate, and we have plenty of opportunities for our residents to do just that this summer.”

The event includes demonstrations from the Shelby Township Police Department, and the Shelby Township Fire Department will provide access to its smokehouse. In addition, Shelby Township librarians will be on hand, and staff from the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center will introduce kids to some of their animal ambassadors.

"Every parent knows there is nothing like the end of school and the beginning of summer, and this event will be a great way to get that time of year started," Bates said. "We have so many amazing family-friendly events planned through the summer, too, that this gives parents a chance to plan their summer around our can’t-miss events."

Thanks to the event’s sponsors, the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, First State Bank and Genisys Credit Union, guests can purchase dinner from among more than a dozen food trucks and stop by the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Michigan Craft Beer Tent before the outdoor showing of “The Lion King” on the township’s LED video wall.

Residents can visit shelbytwp.org/summer for more information on the Summer Kickoff and other summer events and programs.