Having opened for such Country greats as Lorrie Morgan, Chris Cagle and Tracy Lawrence, Jared Knox and his band take the stage Thursday, July 20, as Dowagiac Summer in the City kicks off.

Staged in the central business district, the 32nd annual festival is presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

The summertime gala swings into full gear Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, featuring sidewalk sales, entertainment and children’s events, and wraps up at 2 p.m. Sunday with ACTION’s Community Praise Jam.

Vickie Phillipson, program director of the chamber of commerce and downtown development authority who helped coordinate and raise funding for this year’s festival, said she is pleased to welcome Jared Knox to Dowagiac for this special 90-minute performance,  which will be at 7 p.m. The performance is being presented in conjunction with the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series, underwritten by Chemical Bank, Honor Credit Union and Huntington Bank.

“This is a performance by an American Idol contender that’s not to be missed,” Phillipson said. “Jared blends his southern roots, home-grown talent and unwavering love for Country music as he serves up a wonderful night of entertainment that will be long remembered.”

Jared has been singing since he was 4 years old, which he said is about the time his mother handed him a microphone for the first time in a little church in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  In high school, he took advantage of every signing opportunity that presented itself, from talent competitions to graduations and proms.  After moving to South Haven is when his love for entertaining really began to flourish.

Jared has performed for such artists as Jimmy Dillon and J.C. Heartsfield.  He has also opened for Lorrie Morgan, Chris Cagle and Tracy Lawrence.

In 2006 Jared traveled to Minneapolis, where he tried out for American Idol. Since then, he has collaborated with song writer, musician and producer Mark Moore.  In 2010, they released their first project, entitled “This.”

Two years later they released “I Would Show Her.”

Summer in the City offers an array of activities to enjoy, from roaming circus acts to children’s games, Vertical Edge Entertainment’s climbing wall and Dixie Twister, pedal cars, trackless train, dunk tank and rubber ducky race.

Festival highlights also include Friday’s concert by Michigan native and now Nashville singer-song writer Kari Lynch and the festival’s Summer on Tap craft brew event, hosted by Sister Lakes Brewing Company.

Saturday’s highlights include The Amazing Race and Taste of Dowagiac, featuring eight of this community’s favorite restaurants.

For a full schedule of events, call the Chamber at 782-8212 or visit DowagiacChamber.com.