Summer in the City Festival returns to downtown Dowagiac for its 36th year this Friday and Saturday. Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the festival features vendors, live music, carnival rides, exotic petting zoo, live sand castle sculpting, lawn mower races, corn hole tournament, a princess parade and more.
“We are excited to welcome everyone downtown Dowagiac,” Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Matt Money said. “We have something for everyone. We have a diverse group of vendors selling all kinds of handmade crafts. … We’re not changing too much from years past, we’re just excited to get outside and enjoy the good weather coming.”
The festival kicks off Friday morning at 10 a.m. with music by local band Touch of Texas, festival foods, sidewalk sales including craft and commercial vendors, as well as community organization booths. Returning to a downtown start, Steve’s Run, hosted by Southwestern Michigan College, begins near City Hall at 6 pm.
Both days also will feature Dunk a Hero with the Dowagiac Police and Fire Department – a benefit for Shop with a Hero. Ride attractions from Vertical Edge Entertainment for children including a Climbing Wall and others open on Front Street, Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jungle Island’s Exotic Petting Zoo hosted by the Dowagiac Conservation Club will be at the Dowagiac Library Event Pavilion on Saturday, while local band Over the Top and dance companies Green Dance Academy and Miss Michele & Co. are also set to perform.
