The annual Farmington Founders Festival presented by Meijer returns this year for the 58th celebration of summer and takes place Downtown Farmington. There will be a soft open for the beer tent and food court starting at 5pm on Thursday, July 14. The main festivities will kick off on Friday at 10am with traditional events including the Crafters Market, Beer Tent with live music, Farmington Fido Fest, Touch A Truck while adding several new features including a kids foam party, mobile gaming trailer, and axe throwing!
Although Farmington Road will be under construction during the festival, a new and expanded footprint has been created for the Crafters Market and Kids Zone. The Crafters Market will sprawl throughout the parking lot at Grand River and Farmington and the expanded Kids Zone on Warner Street.
This year you’ll see a little Hawaiian cheer sprinkled throughout the festival. The parade theme is Aloha! The beer tent will feature Kona Brewing Company Big Wave, everyone who orders a Big Wave will receive a lei and Lilo and Stitch will be sculpted out of 10 yards of sand in the Kids Zone.
“We are here to say Aloha or “hello and welcome” to all the residents and visitors attending this year’s Founders Festival. While we may not have the vast ocean and island breezes, the Founders Festival does offer warm hospitality, great restaurants, and a fun getaway right in your own neighborhood.” said Mayor Sara Bowman.
Attractions Abound
Here’s a brief look at what festival-goers can expect.
• Beer Tent
One of the most popular and favorite attractions is Farmington Founders Festival Beer Tent and it’s returning to Downtown Farmington at Grand River & Farmington Road. It's going to be a dance party with live bands all day and into the night! $5 cover starts at 5pm and you must be 21+ with valid ID to enter after 6pm. Cash only for cover. There is no ATM on site.
Hours:
Thursday 5 – 11pm
Friday & Saturday 12pm – 11pm
THURSDAY 5pm - 11pm
** SOFT OPEN*** BEER TENT AND FOOD COURT ONLY***
Local Heroes (Dance Party Rock) - 7pm-11pm
FRIDAY 12pm - 11pm
Mark Reitenga (variety) 12pm - 2pm
Cheyenne Goff (modern / classic rock) 2:30pm - 5pm
Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show 5pm
Howlin' Mercy (Blues Rock) 5:30pm - 8pm
Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show 6:30 pm
Fifty Amp Fuse (Rock n Roll / Dance) 8:30pm - 11pm
SATURDAY 12pm - 11pm
Andy Patalan (Rock, Classic Rock) 12pm-2pm
Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show 1pm - 1:30pm
Just 2 Guitars (Classic Rock) 2:30pm - 5pm
Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Cody Boggs Band (Country) 5:30pm - 8pm
Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show 6:30pm - 7:00pm
The Square Pegz (80s Dance Party) 8:30pm - 11pm
• Food Court
A variety of food trucks will offer up everything from barbeque to gourmet pretzels to elephant ears. Trucks on site include, Different Twist Bakery, Cinnabon, The Ideal Bite, SnoBiz, Camper Bean, Taste for You, and many more.
Thursday - Saturday during festival hours.
• Crafters Market
Creative and talented crafters will display unique handcrafted creations. Here, visitors will find that perfect one-of-a-kind art, handcrafted jewelry, handmade consumables or something whimsical for your garden.
Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
• Touch a Truck presented by Renaissance Construction & Roofing
Kids can explore big trucks, street sweepers and emergency vehicles located in the lot off Warner and Thomas Street.
Hours: Friday 1pm-3pm
• Kids Zone
The Kids Zone has been moved to Grand River and Warner Street. All the traditional fun is coming back including Airborne Bouncers, stage shows and live sand art! Come watch sand artists create a sand sculpture of Lilo and Stich with 10 yards of sand! Kids can get in on the action too. Sand Artists will teach children how to make their own sand sculptures in the play sandboxes on-site. They'll also receive a booklet: Sand Sculpting Tips and Tricks to take home.
NEW this year is a Foam Party and Gaming Trailer. Kids will get to dance and play at the Foam Party. The foam is Bio-degradable, Non-Staining, Non-toxic and Hypoallergenic! It’s also safe for babies, pets, the environment including lawns and gardens.
Motor City Gamers & More will be on-site with FREE video games! The Motor City Gamers And More video game truck is equipped with consoles from PlayStation5, XBox One X and Nintendo Switch. Our technology is unrivaled! First come; first serve. Hours: Friday 10am –8pm. Saturday 11am – 8pm.
**Some activities require a fee
Kids Zone Hours: Friday & Saturday 10am - 8pm
• Family Stage presented by Code Ninjas Royal Oak
Enjoy family friendly entertainment featuring shows on Friday & Saturday
FAMILY SHOW SCHEDULE
Friday, July 16
11:00am-11:30am Amazing Clark Magic Show
1:00pm - 3:00pm Touch-A- Truck
3:30pm - 4:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
5:30pm-6:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
Saturday, July 17
12:00pm - 12:30pm Earth Angels
1:00pm- 1:30pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
2:00pm- 2:30pm Earth Angels
3:00pm- 3:30pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
5:30pm- 6:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
• LOC Credit Union 5k Color Run
This 5k fun run will give participants the opportunity to run or walk through Shiawassee Park and Downtown Farmington along the parade route. Medals presented to age-group winners. Four color stations throughout the race route add a special experience. The race will be chip-timed by the Michigan Running Foundation.
Registration: www.FoundersFestival.com
Race begins: Saturday 9:00 am
• Beaumont presents the Farmington Founders Festival Parade
This year’s parade theme is Aloha! and will take place on Grand River Ave between Powers and Farmington Road. Todd Lipa the founder of CARES of Farmington Hills will be the Grand Marshal.
Hours: Saturday 10:00 am
• Farmington Fido Fest brought to you by LaFontaine Subaru
One of the festivals most popular attractions, is held at Riley Park! Farmington Fido Fest will include popular attractions from the Ultimate Air Dogs and Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show. Dogs and their owners can check out the newest doggy products or participate in one of the many contests throughout the weekend.
Dogs are also welcomed in the Beer Tent on Friday & Saturday from 12pm - 6pm to listen to live music and lounge in one of the cooling pools.
Hours: Friday & Saturday 10 am - 7 pm
CONTESTS & SHOW SCHEDULE
Friday
11:00 am Smooch Your Pooch
11:30 am Furminator (Biggest Hairball Competition)
12:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
1:00 pm Best Trick
2:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
2:30 pm Wiener Dog Race
3:00 pm Pug Run
5:00 pm Costume Contest
6:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
6:30 pm Puppy Dash (6 months & Under)
Saturday
11:00 am Best Trick Contests
11:30 am Smooch Your Pooch
12:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
1:00 pm Costume Contest
2:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
2:30 pm Chihuahua Race
2:45 pm Puppy Dash (6 months & Under)
6:00 pm Disc Dogs of Michigan Frisbee Show
6:30 pm Corgi Race
Sign up for contests at the DJ booth at least 30 minutes prior to each event.
ULTIMATE AIR DOGS JUMP SCHEDULE
Friday
Splash 1 – 11:00 am
Splash 2 – 1:00 pm
Splash 3– 3:00 pm
Splash 4 – 5:00 pm
Saturday
Splash 5 – 11:00 am
Splash 6 – 1:00 pm
Splash 7 – 3:00 pm
FINALS – 5:00 pm
** Times subject to change
• Farmington Farmers Market
The Farmington Farmers Market will be at Farmington High School during Farmington Founders Festival on Saturday, July 16.
Festival Hours:
Thursday 5pm – 11pm – Beer Tent & Food Court only
Friday / Saturday 10am – 11pm
Farmington Founders Festival is produced by 360 Event Productions. The festival could not be made possible without the support from our sponsors including the Meijer, Farmington DDA, LOC Credit Union, LaFontaine Subaru, Faygo, Renaissance Contracting & Roofing, T-Mobile, Waste Management, Beaumont and Bud Light.
Look for additional details, program updates and schedules at https://www.foundersfestival.com/ or on the Founders Festival Facebook page.