The rain couldn't damper student's excitement to explore Eastern Market during the freshmen passport event on Saturday, September 21.

Gathering at Bert's Warehouse Theatre in the middle of Eastern Market, students spent the morning learning about the past, present, and future of Eastern Market from President Dan Carmody.

Following the talk, students dined on three flavors of ice cream and sherbet from Mootown Ice Cream & Gift Shop before heading out to explore all Eastern Market had to offer.

Thousands of people come to the local food district every Saturday for its Saturday Market, which features more than 250 independent vendors and merchants processing, wholesaling, and retailing food. In the heart of Eastern Market is a six-block public market featuring hundreds of open-air stalls serving up fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, homemade jams, maple syrup, and locally produced specialty products.

The Cultural Passport is designed to take students out of their HON 1000 and PS 1010 classrooms and into the Detroit community. In addition to visiting Eastern Market this semester as part of HON 1000, students will also spend a Sunday afternoon at the Redford Theatre.