AUBURN HILLS’ SUMMERFEST CELEBRATES THE SEASON JUNE 20 & 21
WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Downtown Tradition Offers More than 25 Activities for Festival Visitors

Media contacts: Stephanie Carroll, City of Auburn Hills; 248.364.6802; scarroll@auburnhills.org; Brian Marzolf, City of Auburn Hills; 248.370.9353; bmarzolf@auburnhills.org

Auburn Hills, MI—June 16, 2011—The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, has lined up a host of sights, sounds and flavors for two days of fun at its annual Summerfest celebration.  The “main street” event will take place on Friday, June 20, from 4:00 to 10:00 pm and Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm in the heart of downtown at Auburn and Squirrel Roads.

According to Mayor Kevin McDaniel “Summerfest brings a lot of energy to our vibrant Downtown area.  We have a great weekend planned for everyone. From our Ice Cream Social event Friday night to the always popular By the River Car Show on Saturday.”

The festivities kick off Friday afternoon with the City’s renowned State Championship BBQ Cook-Off.  Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, each of the 33 teams entered will begin prepping and slow-cooking their secret recipes for chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket for a panel of certified BBQ judges to select the Grand Champion on Saturday.  The Kids Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest runs from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and everyone is invited to the time-honored “Ice Cream Social” served by City Council members in the big tent from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Friday’s live entertainment on stage kicks off at 4pm with Guy Louis Chautauqua Express, followed by Joey Lee from 6:00 -8:00 pm, and the evening will end with a performance by Terri Lea and the Mustangs. 

“The City takes pride in offering Summerfest each year as an opportunity for families, businesses and the larger community to come together celebrate the summer season and participate in a variety of fun for all ages in the growing Downtown area,” acknowledges Mayor Kevin McDaniel.  “Events like this let people experience firsthand what makes Auburn Hills a great place to live and work and play.”

 A full day of events is also scheduled for Saturday, starting with the Optimist Club’s 7^th annual “By the River” Car Show from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Pet Parade at 11am, Skate Park Competition at 2:00 pm and BBQ judging beginning at noon, with awards presented on stage at 3:00 pm. 

The live stage entertainment and contest/awards line-up on Saturday is:

• 10:30am: Zippity2Dads
• 11:30 am:  Pet Parade Awards
• 12noon:  Oakland Regional Ballet
• 1:00 pm:  Earth Angels
• 2:00 pm: Paint Creek Boys
• 3:00 pm:  BBQ Cook-Off contest awards
• 3:30 pm:  Speed Painter Martina Hahn
• 4:30pm:  Dance Contest
• 5:00 pm: Karaoke Contest (ages 16 and over)
• 6:00 pm: Square Pegs
• 8pm-10pm: 50 Amp Fuse

Both days will feature local restaurants and street vendors offering tasty food, snacks and beverages throughout the festival, in addition to activities in the Kidz Korner, including the inflatable obstacle course, moonwalk, climbing wall, surfboard, face painting, tattoo artistry, and more!

Auburn Hills gratefully acknowledges its Summerfest sponsors: Premier sponsors include:   Genisys Credit Union, Mayo Welding, The River Church, Hunger Skateboards, Community Impact Church and DTE Energy; Contributing sponsors include: Secrest Wardle, Duffy’s Pub, Quality Inn, ITC, Serenity Hair Salon, Hilton Suites Auburn Hills, Plante Moran,  and Elwell Grill.

For more information about Summerfest 2014, visit our Facebook page or www.auburnhills.org or call Auburn Hills Parks & Recreation at 248-370-9353.

About Auburn Hills

Auburn Hills is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan’s global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.