From July 14-16, the City of Buchanan’s Thrill on the Hill is set to take over Front street once again.
The event has become a yearly tradition in southwest Michigan, beginning as a winter event more than 10 years ago and regularly drawing over 10,000 visitors.
After returning from a COVID hiatus, in 2022 the festival is back and ready to host more than with its 500-foot-long water slide, beach/lazy river, food trucks, beer garden with live music and more.
“It’s like a block party on steroids,” said Thrill on the Hill Event manager Ashley Regal. “This truly is a community event. … That is one of the most beautiful things about living in Buchanan. We truly are a city of neighbors that live, breathe, sleep, eat Buchanan. Our hearts and our souls are here, and this event proves that.”
This year, the event has moved from August to July due to this year’s election cycle, according to the city.
“This year we are changing our traditional date of the first weekend of August to avoid conflicts with our biannual election cycle,” reads the page’s website. “This will allow our city staff to be more focused and energized for both events and allow for our citizens to have less congestion downtown.”
Three-day passes will be available for purchase for $35, and day passes will be $15. Tickets include unlimited slides. Separate concert tickets for the beer garden will also be available. Stay tuned to the Thrill on the Hill Facebook page for ticketing information.
“It’s like a big cookout – it’s so fun,” Regal said. “People will bring their inflatable mattresses and everybody piles up and just goes down. Our police officers will go down the hill. … It’s just a good time.”
Organizers are actively looking for sponsors and volunteers. Parties interested in helping support this event, please contact bwall@cityofbuchanan.com. Interested vendors can email Regal at aregal@cityofbuchanan.com to submit a vendor application.
For more information, visit the city’s website, cityofbuchanan.com
