By Staff
Dowagiac's Fun Fest "Celebrate the Music" that opens Thursday, July 29, in the downtown serves up 52 hours of continuous vocal, instrumental and specialty entertainment, which includes an exotic animal exhibit and culminates Saturday evening with the three-hour jazz performance of Mood Swings.
In celebration of the festival's 19th year, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce has a diverse assortment of entertainment and food on tap, plus a wonderful assortment of instrumental music from Caribbean to big band, country/western, soft rock to contemporary, and jazz, said Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce program director and festival chairman.
Music enthusiasts will enjoy performances by: The Reggae Boyz, Battle Creek Pops Ensemble, the big band sound of The Old Moonlighters and Sophisticated Swing, the jazz performance by Mood Swings, the rock and roll music of The Blisters, the country western music of Due Process, and the ethnic music of Kalamazoo Bag Pipers.
Dance performances will be presented by students of Encore Dance Company, Miss Kathy's School of Dance, Positively Dance and South Haven's Trashy Women Line Dancers.
There's also the annual Star Search Talent Show, featuring local talent. All concerts and performances will be held at the Haggin-Wimberley Memorial Bandstand and on Beeson Street in the downtown, and are open to the public free of charge.
Youngsters will enjoy the amusement rides and midway of Family Fun Tyme, Starwalk children's games, clowns and magicians, a puppet show, and the hands-on children's workshops presented by Sarett Nature Center, the Curious Kids Museum, the Museum of Southwestern Michigan College and Premier Animal Attractions, featuring live exotic animals.
Competitive spirits are sure to seek out Saturday's Indy-styled racing of the Mini Grand Prix that travels the Main Street boulevard, as it challenges the skill and finesse of amateur race drivers, who maneuver the road course of curb and tire barriers. The fast-paced go-cart action, filled with thrills and laughter, is an exciting event for participants and spectators of all ages.
The acclaimed Steve's Run, which has been a favorite of Midwest runners for the past 30 years, features a 10K for runners, a 5K for runners and walkers, and a children's 1K fun run. Sponsored Saturday morning by Southwestern Michigan College, Steve's Run was named Michigan's Best Race in 1996 and was named one of the nation's top 10 vacation races by Runner magazine in 1982.
Fun Fest is pleased to again host the Vertical Challenge Climbing Wall, which will be located on Beeson Street, adjacent to Majerek's Hallmark. Sports enthusiasts will also enjoy the three-on-three basketball tournament hosted by the Police Athletic League (PAL) that opens Thursday at Walter Ward Park.
Phillipson said festival goers should bring a hearty appetite if they plan to visit the festival food court, located at Beeson and Depot Drive, where vendors will serve an assortment of specialty items along with Saturday evening's new Corn and Sausage Roast, benefiting the Dowagiac Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service.
Dowagiac Fun Fest is sponsored by Drs. Charles Burling and Jonathan Gillesby, Felpausch Food Center, Franklin and Son, Leader Publications, McDonald's Restaurant, Mennel Milling Co., Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, Q-92 Radio Station, St. Denys Foundation, Southwestern Michigan College, Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co. and Michiana Recycling and Disposal.