Already well known in southwestern Michigan as a growing destination hub for fine and casual dining, eight restaurants will be featured in the 6th Annual Taste of Dowagiac during this year’s Summer in the City Festival.
Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce from July 19th to the 21st, Summer in the City features a children’s carnival, zip line and climbing wall, along with vocal and instrumental entertainment & dance, as well as a full array of family events. From boot scootin’ Cowboy Rock to your favorite cover songs, organizers contend that this festival “has it all.”
Now in its 33rd year, the four-day summertime gala was underwritten by the following members of the business community:
- Chemical Bank
- Clark Chapel / Starks Family Funeral Homes
- Creative Vinyl Signs
- Deck the Halls
- Dowagiac Family Dentistry
- Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center
- Kim MacGregor’s Office of Edward Jones
- Family Fare
- Four Winds Casino
- Lyons Industries
- Olympia Books
- Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria
- Southwest Vision Center
- Southwestern Michigan College
- Wightman Associates
- Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company
A highlight of Saturday’s activities, The Taste of Dowagiac runs from 2 to 6 pm on July 21st. Participating sites include:
- Baker’s Rhapsody
- Beeson Street Bar & Grill
- Caruso’s Candy Kitchen
- Deb’s Café
- The Eagles
- Round Oak Revisited
- Wood Fire Italian Trattoria
- The Wounded Minnow Saloon
Patrons will enjoy a mix of hors d’ouerve-sized specialties during the taste and tickets, priced at $10 each, are now on sale at each of the host sites as well as at the Chamber of Commerce.
Kim MacGregor is President of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber and organizer of the Taste of Dowagiac. MacGregor says, “The Taste of Dowagiac is a great opportunity for our restaurants to showcase their entrees,” and adds, “Each year we receive great feedback. For the restaurants, this has led to new and repeat business.”
MacGregor also notes, “In recent years, Dowagiac has become a destination for both casual and fine dining,” adding, “This is a wonderful event that showcases our business community.”
Summer in the City opens Thursday at 2 pm with the Children’s Carnival at Division and Railroad streets at the site of the former Big Gray industrial building, and that evening’s special two-hour concert by one of southwestern Michigan’s brightest up-and-coming Country singers, Jared Knox & The Hager Bombs.
The summertime bash swings into full gear Friday and Saturday with merchant sidewalk sales, family events and live entertainment. New this year, a zip line will be positioned within the second block of Front Street for families to experience.
Highlighting Friday is Summer on Tap, presented by Sister Lakes Brewing Company, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm and Nashville’s Kari Lynch Band that takes the stage at 6:30 on Beeson Street. The festival wraps up Sunday afternoon, as ACTION presents a community praise jam at 2 pm.
For a full schedule of events or to book a sidewalk booth at the event, you can call the Chamber of Commerce at (269) 782-8212 or visit DowagiacChamber.com.
