This weekend will be filled to the brim with fun in Dowagiac, as the city welcomes its 36th Summer in the City Festival Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th. Hosted by the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, this two-day extravaganza will feature live music, food trucks, sidewalk sales, vendor booths, the always-anticipated Steve’s Run, and so much more.
“This community celebration is truly a family-friendly event,” says the Chamber. “Families will appreciate the children’s interactive entertainment, games, and rides, while browsing Dowagiac’s specialty shops, and booths of craftsmen, artisans, and community organizations.”
The Ladies Library Association Book Sale opens at 9 a.m in the Dowagiac District Library Community Room, and will take place all weekend long. Live music will commence the outdoor festivities beginning at 10 a.m on Friday, featuring “Touch of Texas”, a local band that brings classic Country tunes to Beckwith Park. From 11 a.m on, ‘Dunk A Hero’ with Dowagiac Police and Fire Departments to benefit ‘Shop With A Hero’, participate in Yoga Under The Canopy, and play in the sandbox while you watch The Sand Pirate create a sculpture of sand on Front Street. Kiddie rides will run from 12 p.m to 5 p.m, and can be found on Front Street also.
Friday evening also welcomes Steve’s Run, a race hosted by Southwestern Michigan College to raise funds for cancer research that is now in its 48th year. The race was named in honor of Steven Briegel, a 1986 graduate of Dowagiac High School, and son of former SMC president David Briegel. In the last sixteen years, Steve’s Run has raised over $180,000 in funds that have been divided between student scholarships and cancer research. The race begins and ends downtown, kicking off at 6 p.m.
Saturday will bring Jungle Island’s Exotic Petting Zoo to the Library Pavillion from 10 a.m to 2 p.m, dance performances by Green Dance Academy at 11 a.m and Miss Michele & Co. at Noon on Commercial Street, live music by “Over The Top” at Beckwith Park, lawn mower races, cornhole tournaments, and a Princess Parade!
The Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce website has a complete list of events and their times for the weekend, along with the long list of generous local businesses that sponsored this event. Dowagiac happenings are always a wonderful time, so be sure to head to Front Street this weekend, July 15 and 16!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
