Fifth annual Max & Emily's Summer Concert Series begins with 'American Idol' winner Kris Allen Thursday
Downtown Mount Pleasant will be packed Thursday night for the beginning of the fifth annual Summer Concert Series presented by Max & Emily’s Eatery and the city.
Max & Emily’s, 125 E. Broadway St., will be hosting the free shows on Broadway Street, and there are big names on tap for this year's concerts.
"American Idol" eighth-season winner Kris Allen will perform in front what Max & Emily's owner Tim Brockman hopes is an active and vibrant downtown.
“This is not an exclusive event,” Brockman said. “We encourage all businesses downtown to stay open and active. It is also encouraged of everyone who is attending to check out downtown, see what Mount Pleasant has to offer.”
The concert series will also feature The Ragbirds on July 11, The Verve Pipe on July 18, The Saucecats on July 25, and Howie Day will be performing on Aug. 24, the Saturday of Welcome Week.
All of the acts will begin at 7 p.m., with the exception of The Ragbirds, who will be performing at 8 p.m.
Brockman expects each of those national names to draw between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees each performance. This will provide ample opportunities for businesses to rake in customers and show the performers the sense of community in Mount Pleasant.
“We wanted to make the event multigenerational, from children all the way up," Brockman said. "We hope that the concerts will appeal to everyone of all ages."
Max & Emily’s partnered with Isabella Bank, Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant to bring the performers into town and to provide a relaxed, entertaining night for all those that attend.
“We just want everyone to bring a chair and to enjoy the night,” Brockman said. “Along with beautiful weather and some great music.”
Broadway Street will be closed downtown most of the day on Thursday so the stage can be built, décor can be arranged and to provide room for the crowd to gather. Seats will not be provided, but spots are available based on a first come, first serve basis.
Those who drive downtown can park in the parking lot behind Max & Emily’s, which has been renovated and will be open to the public.
“t’s an easy way for a guy with a struggling budget to have some fun in town for cheap," Berkley senior Eddy Pendergrast said.
Pendergrast said the concert series gives Mount Pleasant a chance to be active during the summer months, and he said he is looking forward to taking full advantage.
“I’m looking forward to getting out of the house and seeing downtown as lively as ever," he said.
