DUNDEE: Last summer, the Dundee Downtown Development Authority and Heart of Dundee wanted to provide a break from the COVID-19 pandemic.
So they hosted the first Celebrate Dundee event.
“We started in July 2021 as a way to allow families and residents everywhere to get out of the house and enjoy free local fun,” said Kristina Frank, Dundee DDA board member and a of the organizers of the event. “At the time there were still a lot of events and businesses closed due to COVID, and we wanted a safe way for people to come out and have a fun day.”
The organizers got more than they expected.
“We weren’t sure how many would turn out. Last year it exceeded our expectations,” Frank said. “The crowd was amazing and the support our community gave was amazing.”
The second annual Celebrate Dundee will be bigger than the first and will take place from 10am to 11pm on August 13 at a new location, Wolverine Park. Entry is free. The public is welcome.
“Last year we coordinated the event in two months. This year, with a little more time and planning, we were able to grow the event and add more to enjoy,” Frank said. “We hope to have an even bigger turnout. We’re excited to bring it back.”
New this year are a vendor show and bounce houses. Other activities include fireworks, food trucks, beer tent, face painting, costumed characters, live music and dance routines and more.
Fireworks will begin at dusk in a new location.
“While we loved having the fireworks right by the river last year, due to the size we’ve grown, we had to move the location and the fireworks will go off in the same location as the Mayfly fireworks Festival,” Frank said.
A beer tent will be open from 5 to 10:30 p.m.; tickets will be sold at the marquee.
34 vendors will sell homemade crafts, wood projects, homemade foods, jewelry and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We also have our local businesses uptown and encourage everyone to stop by, including Twigs & Twine, TC Antiques, The Paper Moon Shoppe, Cool Beanz Antique Shop and more,” Frank said.
Two bands will perform.
Last Exit Band will play from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Temperance Tonic will play from 8 to 11 p.m.
Various children’s events will be offered, including face painting.
A second face painter has been added this year. Both are Dundee High School students who volunteer.
“Last year we had a face painter on hand. Well, she was very, very busy,” Frank said. “We thought having two this year would help. They do a fantastic job and the kids loved it.”
Children can also meet costumed characters. Captain America will appear from noon to 1 p.m. Princess Belle will appear from 2 to 3 p.m.
Peg Harris Dance Studio will perform from 1 to 2 p.m
Four Poupard Moonwalks bounce houses will be installed.
“River of Life Church in Dundee will have many different activities for the kids, and the Kiwanis Club of Dundee will also be helping out with our kids’ activities,” Frank said.
There will be several food trucks on site.
Cilantro of Dundee will be selling Mexican food. Tecumseh’s Sunset Ridge BBQ is back at Celebrate Dundee and will be selling grilled food. Coffee Grind of Dundee will be selling hot and cold specialty drinks. Shaved Ice of Monroe will be selling shaved ice and lemonade. Mathewson’s will be selling fried Oreos, elephant ears, corndogs and other treats.
Restaurants in central Dundee will also be opening, including River’s Edge, Tiffany’s Pizza, Uncle Lyle’s, The Apothecary Kitchen and Cool Beanz.
Organizers hope Celebrate Dundee will become an annual event.
“Our hope is to continue this event annually on the second Saturday in August,” Frank said. “Eventually we would like to use other spaces closer to our downtown location and allow event attendees to visit the businesses and restaurants in the downtown area.”
The Dundee DDA aims to support local businesses, vendors, restaurants and the community by organizing community events for the public. Heart of Dundee was started to promote downtown Dundee and celebrate the values of community, history and small towns, the organization said.
For more information, visit Heart of Dundee on Facebook
