DOWAGIAC — Having opened for such country greats as Lorrie Morgan, Chris Cagle and Tracy Lawrence, Jared Knox and the Hagar Bombs take the stage Thursday, July 19, as Dowagiac Summer in the City kicks off.

Staged in the central business district, the 33rd annual festival is presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.  The summertime gala opens Thursday morning with a Children’s Carnival at Division and East Railroad, and swings into full gear downtown on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21, featuring sidewalk sales, entertainment and children’s events, and wraps up Sunday with ACTION’s Community Praise Jam at 2 p.m.

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 two-hour performance, beginning at 7 p.m.  The performance is being presented in conjunction with the Dowagiac Summer Concert Series, which Phillipson also oversees. The fine arts program was underwritten this year by Chemical Bank, Cass County Council on Aging and Honor Credit Union.

“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.”

Knox 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, his love for entertaining really began to flourish, he said.

Knox 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.”

Thursday’s concert, hosted at the James E. Snow Professional Building at Front and Main streets, provides shaded lawn-chair seating.

Phillipson said Summer in the City offers an array of activities to enjoy, from the Children’s Carnival to the new zip line on Front Street, 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 Taste of Dowagiac, featuring eight of this community’s favorite restaurants, and performances by hometown favorites Rebel Pride, MKSOD and Miss Michele & Co.

The four-day summertime gala was underwritten by Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel/Starks Family Funeral Homes, Creative Vinyl Signs, Deck the Halls, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Kim MacGregor’s Office of Edward Jones, Family Fare, Four Winds Casino, Lyons Industries, Olympia Books, Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria, Southwest Vision Center, Southwestern Michigan College, Wightman and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.

For a full schedule of events, call the Chamber at (269) 782-8212 or visit DowagiacChamber.com.