Summer in the City in Dowagiac this week and Riverfest next week in Niles. If you live anywhere in Leaderland and you want to have some fun, don’t miss these events.

Tomorrow is a new feature at Summer in the City, the Taste of Dowagiac. I’ve got my ticket, have you got yours? For $10 you get to try hors d’ouvre sized specialties from 10 Dowagiac restaurants. Yum!

Next week it is Riverfest. Yes there will be a Riverfest even though the city can’t legally help fund the event. This has been a committee I’ve volunteered my time over the last few months.

Marc Milhander of the “Bring It” car show fame will be hosting the car show and a new motorcycle show at the event. Tuesday night he let us know that he has a buddy that will bring his Monster Truck to the event for rides. Who doesn’t like a Monster Truck? I’ve enjoyed the unique meetings to plan for this festival with Marc, the president, Deb Wozniak, Will and Traci Trepanier, Tom Majerek and others. These folks work hard behind the scenes to bring fun times to downtown Niles.

Coming back this year will be the Mr. and Miss Riverfest contest and it isn’t too late to enter. Thanks to Mark Webber, Lacey Peters and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA for sponsoring and organizing the event this year. Call Lacey at (269) 683-1552 for more details.

Beyond the families having fun at the event, did you know who also benefits from Riverfest?  I learned that proceeds go to the Niles Fire Department and Riverfront Park. Past proceeds have helped fund electricity for the park. Riverfest has been a great opportunity for Boy Scout Troop 579 to raise money to help pay the way for community boys. I was told it cost $1,500 annually per kid for scouting.

In the news this week we learned it was illegal for a city in Michigan to fund events such as Riverfest. At the same time the city provides plenty of services to help make these events successful. Who do you think helps clean up the mess we make at these events?

Bring your camera to this and all events and then post your picture on our community galleries on line at www.leaderpub.com. You may be published.

One last thanks to the six members of the new Leader Press Club. You don’t pay dues and you don’t get paid but you’ll get recognition and a good feeling for bringing recognition to our community. Yesterday in the Star, Lori Zimmerman reported on the Bobcats girls’ basketball national title and the second place showing by the Niles girl’s team. It you are interested in becoming a member of our club, feel free to contact me.

Michael Bennett is publisher of Leader Publications. He can be reached at michael.bennett@leaderpub.com or by calling 687-7700.