The Parkridge Summer Festival and Joe Dulin Community Day is Saturday, Aug. 25th from 11am-6pm at Parkridge Park in Ypsilanti (591 Armstrong Drive). The "Non-profit Resource” Tent is open from Noon-2:30pm.
The Festival is a partnership between the Parkridge Summer Festival Committee and Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED) to provide Washtenaw County residents information on available community resources.
Festival co- sponsors:
- Parkridge Summer Festival Committee
- Washtenaw Community College
- Ypsilanti Community Schools
- Harry G. Parks Lodge #1681/Ypsilanti Elks
Additional event funding is provided by the City of Ypsilanti.
“This event is a great opportunity for residents to learn about community resources; and enjoy local food and music,” said Washtenaw County Commissioner Ricky Jefferson. “In our eighth year of offering the Festival, I thank OCED and members of the SummerFest Committee for their continued commitment and hard work to make this another great festival.”
This year’s Festival honorees are Thomas Frye who kept the Parkridge Community Center from closing after parks and recreation funding was eliminated due to declining City of Ypsilanti budget revenues; and Mary Herndon for serving as the Ypsilanti Housing Commission Executive Director for 25 years during the 1950's and 1960's.
More than 60 non-profits and 20 merchandise vendors will be on-site.
A special addition to this year’s Festival is the unveiling of a new wall mural designed by youth members of Youth Arts Alliance (YAA) under the direction of YAA Fellow Yusuf Lateef. This will take place following a 2pm awards ceremony. Community members and festival attendees can view the mural following the ceremony.
Festival highlights:
- back-to-school giveaways and raffles
- breast exams and blood pressure screenings
- visit from the Ypsilanti fire engine (Ypsilanti Fire Department)
- free bike helmet giveaways and bicycle repair (Ypsi Bike Co-Op)
- youth activities and games (Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office & EMU Student Life)
- chef demonstrations (Blue Cross Complete of Michigan)
- football and egg race (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.)
- bike blender smoothies (Growing Hope)
Free entertainment 11am – 6pm. Scheduled performers include:
- Lady Sunshine and the X Band (headlining act)
- The ME-DOSE Band
- The Fabulous Conducts (40 year reunion, local band very popular in the 80's)
- John L. and the Bad Boy Blues Band
- Jameelski The Grand Vizier
- The Impulse Band
- Athena Johnson
- Anthony McKinney (gospel singer)
- The Daynites Band
To register for a merchant booth: email Cherisa Allen at [email protected] for an application.
To register for a non-profit booth: complete an online form at https://goo.gl/forms/6PlO3v9QETzR9Lp53.
“We look forward to this event every year,” said Teresa Gillotti, Interim Director, Washtenaw County OCED. “We love the partnership and that such a fun day in the park can connect neighbors and their families to great resources to stay healthy and safe.”
The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development is committed to ensuring Washtenaw County residents have access to resources that enhance quality of life.