DOWAGIAC — Sister Lakes Brewing Company, which promotes “fostering a community, one pint at a time,” is the host of this year’s Summer on Tap craft brew event Friday in downtown Dowagiac.

Summer on Tap is part of the 34th annual Summer in the City Festival, hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce. The two-day summertime bash features sidewalk sales, music, dance and an array of family events and interactive children’s workshops.

“Sister Lakes Brewing Company is proud to be the hometown brewery to sponsor Dowagiac Summer on Tap,” said Jerry Morin, co-owner. “This is consistent with our mission to foster community, one pint at a time.” 

Summer on Tap to be presented during Michigan Craft Beer Month. Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for its overall number of breweries. Its 220 craft brewers support state agriculture by purchasing hops, malted barley, wheat, beet sugar, cherries, apples and numerous other fruits, herbs and vegetables grown in Michigan.

Kim MacGregor, chamber president, of Edward Jones, said the craft brew event coincides with the free concert Friday evening presented by Midwestern Lull, which takes the stage at Beckwith Park at 6:30 p.m.

“I am very excited to offer this free concert during Summer in the City,” MacGregor said.  “Midwestern Lull is a roots rock and Americana band, based out of Chicago. We’re likely to hear several selections from their new CD entitled, “Farmhouse Sessions,” on Railway Records, Chicago.  It will be a great time. I hope people come out to enjoy it.”

Summer on Tap gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the free event and concert will continue until 10:30 p.m.

New this year, several of Dowagiac’s downtown restaurants will be heading outside to serve festival goers, including: Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, Round Oak Revisited, Railway Café and Deb’s Café, which will join Summer on Tap at the park.

Summer in the City offers an array of activities to enjoy, from Vertical Edge Entertainment’s climbing wall, zip line and Dixie Twister to a trackless train children’s train, dunk tank and rubber ducky race.  Festival highlights also include Saturday’s Taste of Dowagiac and, new this year, Modified Lawn Tractor Association racing.

The summer celebration has been underwritten this year by Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel/Starks Family Funeral Homes, Creative Vinyl Signs, Deck the Halls, Dowagiac Elks, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Kim MacGregor’s Office of Edward Jones, Four Winds Casino, Janel Industries, Lyons Industries, Midwest Energy & Communications, Olympia Books, Preferred Printing, Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria, Southwest Vision Center, Southwestern Michigan College, Steinbauer Performance, and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.

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