The much-anticipated 2024 NFL Draft event has finally arrived, following an exhilarating countdown celebrated at Campus Martius.

As I’ve heard friends and family express their excitement about heading downtown to join the festivities, I thought it would be beneficial to outline some options available for attendees.

To fully experience the main draft events, it’s essential to download the NFL OnePass app or visit NFL.com/DraftGain Access. This platform allows you to register for attendance and receive your unique QR code, which acts as your pass. Additionally, the app provides updated schedules of all activities and attractions, ensuring you don’t miss any exciting moments during the draft.

The NFL Draft Experience, a free fan celebration at Hart Plaza, welcomes attendees of all ages. This vibrant event spans three days and features a variety of activities, including immersive displays, opportunities to take pictures with the iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy, and chances to secure autographs from both current NFL players and legendary figures from the sport.

In addition, Draft Day in the D is another exciting three-day celebration happening across various parks in Detroit. Events will be hosted at Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park, and along a section of Woodward Avenue closed to traffic between State and Witherell streets. Attendees can enjoy various activities, including beer tents, live entertainment, cornhole competitions, and much more.

Although most events are designed with families in mind, the Detroit Free Press has compiled a fantastic list of family-friendly activities to enjoy with kids, such as kicking a basket at The Corner Ballpark, ensuring that everyone has a memorable time.

In Greektown, a vibrant three-day tailgate will take place on Monroe Street between St. Antoine and Brush Streets. This lively gathering will run from noon to midnight Thursday through Saturday, featuring two blocks filled with live music, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and engaging games for attendees to enjoy.

According to the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership, “The Greektown Tailgate will also have large TV screens for sports viewing, along with an emcee at the main stage. Guests can visit the new ESPN Bet or the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Airstream, relax in their street activation area, or participate in a friendly game of cornhole,” creating an inviting atmosphere for all.

Corktown will be hosting its own celebration, featuring food and drink specials at a variety of bars and restaurants. This event includes six viewing tents equipped with televisions, a free shuttle service for easy transportation, and a conveniently located parking lot with 1,500 spaces to accommodate attendees.

On the transportation front, the QLINE will operate between Grand Boulevard and Sproat Street throughout the three-day event. They are also offering special parking deals where you can park in designated structures for just $5 and then take the QLINE to your desired destination. The Detroit People Mover will run for free, 24 hours a day, starting at 7 a.m. Thursday through midnight Sunday, with trains arriving every five minutes. For more detailed information, the City of Detroit has compiled a comprehensive list of transportation options.

Lastly, I recommend performing a Google search for “NFL Draft events in Detroit,” as there is an endless list of bars and restaurants throughout Metro Detroit that will be buzzing with activity, even beyond the three-day event. For example, Batch Brewing Company is hosting NFL-themed trivia on Wednesday, adding to the excitement.

There are numerous enjoyable options available that I haven’t covered, so I encourage you to explore — there’s truly something for everyone during this thrilling time.

Now, let’s move on to additional notes and highlights.

• A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton has suggested a fun exercise that everyone should try — when it comes to the 29th pick, consider what your dream or nightmare scenario would be, and what you realistically think will happen.

• Happy Birthday to our fearless leader. [Editor’s Note: this was Thursday]

• Another opportunity to meet potential picks is highlighted by Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman. This mention may be particularly relevant given his background as a former Spartan.