Known in southwestern Michigan as a destination hub for fine and casual dining, seven restaurants will be featured in the fourth-annual Taste of Dowagiac during the upcoming Summer in the City Festival.

Presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce July 21-24, Summer in the City features vocal and instrumental entertainment and dance, and array of family events. From roaming entertainers to boot scootin’ cowboy rock and cutting edge rock ‘n’ roll, organizers said this festival has it all.

Now in its 31st year, the four-day summertime gala is underwritten by AK Montgomery, Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel/Starks Family Funeral Home, 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 Taste of Dowagiac opens at 2 p.m. Friday, July 22, and runs through 7 p.m.  Participating sites include: The Baker’s Rhapsody, Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, Deb’s Café, Earl’s BBQ, Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria and The Wounded Minnow Saloon.

Patrons will enjoy a mix of hors d’ouerve-sized specialties. Tickets, priced at $10 each, are now on sale at each of the host sites and the Chamber of Commerce.

“The Taste of Dowagiac is a great opportunity for our restaurants to showcase their entrees,” said Kim MacGregor, Chamber of Commerce president, who helped organize the dining event.

“The debut year of this event was very successful,” MacGregor said. “The Chamber of Commerce and each of the restaurants received great feedback. For the restaurants, this led to new and repeat business.

“In recent years, Dowagiac has become a destination for both casual and fine dining. This is a wonderful event that helps to showcase our business community.”

Summer in the City opens Thursday evening, July 21, as one of southwestern Michigan’s county musicians, Jared Knox, presents a special two-hour concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Beckwith Park, courtesy of Huntington Bank.

The summertime bash swings into full gear Friday and Saturday with merchant sidewalk sales, family events and live entertainment. On Saturday the festival introduces its new Summer on Tap craft brew event, while on Sunday ACTION wraps up the gala with a community praise jam.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.DowagiacChamber.com or its Facebook page.