DOWAGIAC, Mich. — The interactive and popular Princess Party for children and their favorite dolls, hosted by the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, will be held Friday, July 17, at noon during Dowagiac’s Summer in the City Festival, as one of Dowagiac’s newest specialty shops also treats children to the special appearance of Elsa from the movie Frozen.

Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) who helped coordinate and raise funding for this year’s summertime bash, said she is pleased to welcome the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant as the co-host of Friday’s Princess Party that will find pink tiara-topped little girls having their pictures taken alongside Miss Dowagiac 2015 Tori Smith.

Children are invited to dress as a princess and bring their favorite doll with them, as they attend this fun and interactive event. Phillipson said participants of the princess-themed event will receive tiaras, courtesy of the scholarship pageant, which is celebrating its 77th year. Children will also parade through the downtown with members of the Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor.

New this year, during the festival, the pageant committee is holding a “Princess for a Day” drawing. The winner will join Miss Dowagiac for a day of pampering at a local salon. Pageant volunteers will also host children’s games on Friday and Saturday during the festival from 10 to 5 p.m. on Front Street.

Phillipson said adjoining the children’s game site will be a face painter and on Saturday, from 2 to 3 p.m., Carla Lowe will host a Hula Hoop Dance Class for children ages six to 11.

A second princess party will be offered for little girls on Saturday at 11 a.m., hosted at one of Dowagiac’s newest specialty shops by Tammy Brady, owner of Makenzie Nicole’s. Brady said she is excited to feature Elsa at the party from the movie Frozen. On Friday at 11 a.m. children can also attend the Cookies & Canvas event at Makenzie Nicole’s.

The princess party and Cookies & Canvas event represent a sampling of interactive and specialty activities Brady will be hosting in-store throughout the year.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce July 16-19, Summer in the City features vocal and instrumental entertainment and dance, and array of family events. From roaming entertainers to camel rides and boot scootin’ Cowboy Rock, organizers have said this festival has it all.

Phillipson said Summer in the City opens Thursday evening, July 16, as one of southwestern Michigan’s brightest up and coming Country singers, Jared Knox, presents a special two-hour concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Beckwith Park, courtesy of Huntington Bank.

The summertime bash swings into full gear Friday and Saturday with merchant sidewalk sales, family events, live entertainment and beer garden. On Sunday evening, ACTION presents more music and an ice cream social at Beckwith Park.

Children’s activities also feature a small animal petting zoo and pony rides, BMX demos, Food Art for Kids presented by the Dowagiac 7th Day Adventist Church, dunk tank hosted by Dowagiac Department of Public Safety, children’s inflatables provided by Judd Lumber Building Supply & Rental Center, Rubber Ducky Races presented by Dowagiac Fine Arts Boosters, Bricks4Kidz Lego event hosted by Dowagiac Public Library, and pedal cars presented by Crystal Springs Camp & Retreat.

 

Thursday, July 16

5 to 11 p.m. — The ‘Jack Festival Events Center opens at Beckwith Park, featuring music, beer, corn and sausage roast and more all weekend

7:30 p.m. — Country sensation Jared Knox takes the stage

 

Friday, July 17

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Ladies Library Assn. book sale

10 a.m. — Sidewalk sales and craft booths open

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Rock and country concerts

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Chalk artists at Front and Commercial Streets

10 a.m. to p.m. — Children’s games and helium balloons, pony rides, petting zoo, children’s inflatables and food art for kids

11 a.m. — Elephant ears and other food vendors open

11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Dunk a cop for charity

Noon — Princess Party at Beckwith Park

1, 3 and 5 p.m. — BMX demonstrations

2 to 7 p.m. — Taste of Dowagiac

4 to 5 p.m. — Miss Michele & Co. dance performance

5 p.m. to midnight — Music and dancing at The ‘Jack Events Center

 

Saturday, July 18

9 a.m. — Registration for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Ladies Library Assn. book sale

10 a.m. — Sidewalk sales and craft booths open

10 a.m. — Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services kicks off

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Chalk artists at Front and Commercial Streets

10 a.m. to p.m. — Children’s games and helium balloons, pony rides, petting zoo, children’s inflatables and food art for kids

11 a.m. — Elephant ears and other food vendors open

11 a.m. — Cake walk for Domesic & Sexual Abuse services

11 a.m. — Amazing Race steps off

11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Dunk a cop for charity

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Roaming street performer presents circus acts

Noon to 1 p.m. — MKSOD and Positvely Dance perform in the street

Noon to 3 p.m. — Children’s pedal cars

1, 3 and 5 p.m. — BMX demonstrations

2 p.m. — Rubber Ducky race

2 to 3 p.m. — Hula hoops dance class for kids

4 to 5 p.m. — Pokagon Band drum and dance troop

5 p.m. to midnight — Music and dancing at The ‘Jack Events Center

 

Sunday, July 19

5 p.m. — Music and an ice cream social in the park

 

Visit DowagiacChamber.com for more details and sponsor information.