Summer Fest all weekend in Island Park

This week, Island Park will celebrate the weather, music and fun that summer brings each year.

The 25th Annual Mount Pleasant Summer Festival begins today at 331 N. Main St. and runs through Sunday.

“There is something for everyone at the Summer Festival,” said Sally Wilson, a Summer Festival board member.

The event started in 1984 and began as a small gathering called “Energy Fest.”

“It was created as a community event to bring people together and showcase the community,” said Kathie Grinzinger, Mount Pleasant’s city manager. “It is 100 percent volunteer-ran. There are no sponsors involved.”

The festival has grown almost every year, and last year’s attendance was estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 people.

Wilson said she expects a rise in attendance for the festival this year.

“It could be a bigger turnout because of the economy,” she said.

She thinks people will gravitate toward the family atmosphere, the warm weather, the food and the inexpensive entertainment.

The festival has attractions for all ages, including some that touch on Isabella County’s agricultural roots. It features an agricultural village, farm tours, a Native American cultural display — provided by 7th generation Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E. Broadway St. – food and beverages and concerts.

General attendance is free for the festival, which features carnival rides, fireworks, a parade, and a children’s village.

Thursday night features a swing dance and sock hop at 7 p.m.

The weekend will kick off with Kevin Chamberlain and the Greez Monkeez, a country and rock group that will perform Friday.

Saturday features a host of blues entertainment all day, with four different bands performing from 1 to 7 p.m. and the late night entertainment for Saturday features a local band.

Each concert has a $3 cover charge.

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