The hottest party of the summer is fixing to light up the streets of Dowagiac, as the 29th annual Summer in the City festival begins Thursday.

This year’s festival promises to be bigger than ever, with the events running through Sunday this year. The four-day long gala is the largest event in the city, and is once against hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

Downtown visitors will be able to take advantage of sidewalk sales and other activities provided by merchants and businesses with booths lining the streets. The festival is also offering attractions for both young and old, including live music, food and drinks and more.

Among the highlights festivities this year are:

 

The ‘Jack Festival Events Center 

4 p.m. to midnight, Thursday – Saturday — Parking lot adjacent to Twistee’s/COA Front Street Crossing

Returning for the second straight year, the Summer in the City beer garden features plenty of activities throughout the weekend, including single and team bags tournaments, a karaoke contest and more.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy beer, wine and cider as well as food provided by Beeson Street Grill.

There will also be live entertainment, provided by bands and artists like Billy Brock, Rebel Pride, Exit 41, Adam Wilson and Jordi. A $3 cover charge is required for admission during musical performances.

 

Huntington Night

7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday — Haggin-Wimberley Memorial Bandstand

A night of classic rock and blues awaits visitors of this nighttime concert. Kalamazoo Avenue will once again be the featured artist of this event, covering old favorites from bands like Chicago, The Beetles and The Blues Brothers.

Audience members will also be able to enjoy complementary ice cream during the concert as well.

The performance is part of this year’s Beckwith Park Summer Concert series, which has featured local performers throughout the summer. Thursday’s concert is named in honor of Huntington Bank, which is sponsoring this year’s concert series.

 

Taste of Dowagiac

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday

People looking to sample the dishes of many of Dowagiac’s array of restaurants will be able to do so, at this year’s Taste of Dowagiac event.

For $10, visitors will be able to sample a mix of bite sized dishes from 10 local eateries: Beeson Street Bar & Grill, Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, Deb’s Café, The Eagles, Foodies, Mimi Sarducci’s, Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria, Trackside Restaurant, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria and The Wounded Minnow Saloon.

Expected dishes include chili from Beeson Street, pizza from the Wood Fire and pies at Trackside Restaurant.

Tickets for the event are on sale at each of the participating locations.

 

Steve’s Run

8:30 a.m. Saturday — Front Street

The 40th running of Southwestern Michigan College’s road and trail race will take place during the Summer in the City Festival on Saturday, with participants winding their way from the starting line in front of Beckwith Park to the finish line at Lion’s Park.

The run honors 1988 SMC graduate Steven Briegel. Funds raised from the run are used for scholarships and Mayo Clinic cancer research.

Participants have the choice of competing in a 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and 1K fun run. Registration for entrants is open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the day of the race.

This year’s event was underwritten by AK Montgomery, Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel, Creative Vinyl Signs, D. MottL Realty, Kim MacGregor’s Office of Edward Jones, Family Fare, Four Winds Casino, Lyons Industries, The Pokagon Fund, Southwestern  Michigan College, Wightman & Associates and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.