Action events, roaming street performers, along with live music and dance, plus a new craft beer event headline Dowagiac Summer in the City Festival July 21-24.

This community’s largest and oldest summertime gala is fully funded this year by the local community through 13 corporate sponsors, according to Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Chamber of Commerce and DDA, who raises the monies needed to fund the presentation of vocal, instrumental and specialty entertainment.  She also oversees scheduling, advertising and advance publicity for the event.

“While the festival in recent years was funded primarily by grant dollars, this year’s event truly represents a strong commitment to our community by local corporations that have stepped forward to help underwrite the $11,000 four-day celebration,” Phillipson said.

The Chamber is pleased to welcome the following corporate sponsors: AK Montgomery, Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel / Starks Family Funeral Homes, Creative Vinyl Signs, Down to Earth Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, Kim MacGregor’s Office of Edward Jones, Family Fare, Four Winds Casino, Lyons Industries, Southwestern Michigan College, Wightman & Associates and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.

The summer gala kicks off July 21 as American Idol contender Jared Knox takes the stage at Beckwith Park.  Knox, who is said to be one of the finest up and coming musicians in southwestern Michigan, has opened for such Country greats as Lorrie Morgan, Chris Cagle and Tracy Lawrence.

The special two-hour performance is being presented in conjunction with the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series, underwritten by Huntington Bank.