Downtown Imlay City's Annual Events
The Imlay City Downtown Development Authority offers many events throughout the year to bring the community together in the Downtown area.
The DDA sponsors events throughout the year. We love to see community members and visitors in our downtown enjoying our beautifully landscaped streetscape and of course, patronizing our local merchants.
Imlay City Farmers Market
Our Farmers Market is open May 22 - October 15, 2020. The Market is held at the corner of Main Street and Third Street on Thursdays from
10 am- 4 pm (weather permitting).
The Market accepts Debit Cards, EBT (Bridge Card), Senior FRESH coupons, and offers Double Up Food Bucks.
For an applications for the 2020 market season, please email your request to ddapromotions@imlaycity.org or call 810-724-2135.
The Imlay City Farmers Market is Farm Fresh and Locally Grown!
Market Season Payment Options
The Farmers Market will be equipped to handle Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), also known as the Bridge Card or food stamps this season. EBT users can double their Michigan-grown vegetable and fruit purchases up to $20 per market day with the Double Up Food Bucks program! If you spend $10, Double Up Food Bucks will give you $10! For more information regarding the EBT card and/or Double Up Food Bucks, contact the Market Manager.
The Senior Project Fresh Program will also be accepted at the Imlay City Farmers' Market this year. The Senior Project Fresh program provides seniors, age 60 and over, with fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Seniors participating in the program may purchase fresh, unprocessed, Michigan grown fruits and vegetables and select fresh herbs.
The market will accept Debit Cards. Just come to the Farmers Market information tent, swipe your Debit card, enter your pin and the amount of cash you wish to receive and the market manager will give you tokens equal to the amount of cash you withdraw. Most of our vendors will accept your tokens as cash. Shopping is easy at the market! (there will be a $0.50 surcharge per use of the Debit machine).
For information on EBT and Debit Cards - read here
El Mercado ahora esta aceptando tarjetas EBT o Bridge
- Pase su tarjeta EBT y entre su numero PIN en el stand del encargado del Mercado
- Con la aprobacion, se le daran fichas de $1 dollar
- Compre a los vendedores participantes
- Disfrute los productos frescos
El Mercado ahora esta aceptando tarjetas EBT o Bridge
Summer Concert Series
2020 FREE Summer Concert Series
Our Summer Concert Series begins on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in Lamb Steele Park. All concerts will begin at 7 pm unless stated otherwise.
Due to the Stay at Home Order in Michigan, the start of our concerts has been pushed back. We are working hard to make sure we can provide a safe concert experience this summer, as well as follow all safety guidelines put in place.
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June 16 Acoustic Ash -- Pop, Rock, Indie
June 23 cancelled... please see next concert date.
June 30 Professor Wright & Friends -- Rock, Blues, Swing & More (rescheduled from 6/23)
July 7 Motor City Josh and The Big 3 -- funky blues you can't refuse!
July 14 ChoiceOne Bank Sundae Bar with Gemini -- Ice Cream Social with Kids' Music Show
July 21 Bob Marshall Band -- Award-Winning Cowboy Rock n Roll
July 28 NO CONCERT -- Enjoy the Eastern Michigan State Fair
Aug 4 Delaney Natke -- Pop, Rock & Country
Aug 11 Guy Louis -- Worlds of Music, Interactive Kids' Music (PENDING)
Aug 18 TBA
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) strengthens arts and culture in Michigan by increasing its visibility; supporting arts education; encouraging new, creative and innovative works of art; and broadening cultural understanding. A key conduit for arts and cultural information, MCACA is also a source of arts and culture grant funding.
June 16
Acoustic Ash (Ash Harris)
With an acoustic guitar and an expressive, soulful sound, Acoustic Ash creates a platform for diversity and equality. "Leading the way with the Heart!" She sings in a way that makes one want to be a better human!!
July 14 Ice Cream @ 6pm
Choice One's Ice Cream Social with Ray Champion Music & Magic for Kids
Join us for a great night of family fun and entertainment.
Free ice cream, sponsored by Choice One Bank.
July 21 @ 7pm
Bob Marshall Band
A Real Cowboy bringing you real Country and Western music!
July 28 @ 7pm
Motor City Josh & The Big 3
Funky blues you can't refuse!
August 4 @ 7pm
Delaney Natke
Delaney Natke is a talented, young singer in our area. She was the 2018 Celebration of Music winner in Detroit, as well as the winner of the 20 Front Street Open Mic Night in Lake Orion.
August 11 @ 7pm
Guy Louis - Worlds of Music
Fun and interactive music for all ages!
Sundae Bar (formerly Ice Cream Social)
2020 Choice One Bank and Trust Ice Cream Social
The Thirteenth Annual Choice One Bank Sundae Bar (Ice Cream Social) and Gemini for Kids!
The Sundae Bar will take place on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 6-8 pm at the Lamb Steele Park. As with previous years, the ice cream and entertainment are FREE to residents, friends, and families!! Come Join Us!!
The event is financed by Choice One Bank (previously Lakestone Bank); their employees serve the delicious frozen dessert!
This is just one of the many ways that Choice One Bank gives back to their community- and it is a definite crowd favorite!
Last year over 350 of our favorite folks enjoyed more than 18 gallons of ice cream!
Storytime at Lamb Steele Park
TO BE ANNOUNCED
The DDA is thrilled to work with the Ruth Hughes Library this summer to once again bring StoryTime to the Lamb Steele Park Gazebo!
Miss Mandy will again host this awesome event at the Gazebo for free, child friendly activities and reading. Check out the new and exciting Themes for Summer 2020!
Wednesday, June, 2020 (TBA)
1:00 PM
Theme: TBA
Wednesday, July, 2020 (TBA)
1:00 PM
Theme: TBA
Wednesday, August, 2020 (TBA)
1:00 PM
Theme: TBA
Busker Festival Parade
CANCELLED FOR 2020 -- SEE YOU ALL IN 2021
Due to COVID-19, the Imlay City Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel their 2020 Busker Festival event, and by extension, the DDA has cancelled their parade portion of the event as well.
We're all sad to see this event put off for the year, but the health and safety of our community is the number one priority of both our DDA and our Chamber. We love you, Imlay City, and are so excited to come back bigger and better in 2021!
Art in the Rough 2020 -- Saturday, September 19th from 6 - 10 PM
This year marks our 6th Annual Art in the Rough Extravaganza to be held in Downtown Imlay City. Third Street is closed off for our private event and filled with pop-up galleries, food, beverages and live music. We feature dozens of Michigan artists in our downtown businesses. Come join us Saturday night on September 19th for a night of fun, culture, and more!
Artists, entertainment, and drink will be set up along a cordoned off area on Third Street. Tickets will be required for entry into Art in the Rough.
MAIN ART IN THE ROUGH EVENT
>> Our main event will be held on Saturday, September 19th, 2020 from 6 PM - 10 PM. The event will be located all along Third Street in Downtown, outdoors as well as inside many Imlay City businesses.
Art in the Rough Tickets will be available August 1, 2020; tickets will be the same price whether you buy advanced or at the door. Buy your tickets early to get your reservation into the VIP Dinner at no extra cost.
ENTERTAINMENT:
>>6 PM – 8 PM: TBA
>>8 PM – 10 PM: TBA
VIP ART IN THE ROUGH EVENT
>> A private 21+ VIP cocktail event, happening 4 PM – 6 PM, at Third & Main Event Center, inside 244 E Third Street, Downtown Imlay City.
Stay tuned for more details.
Winter Playground
Winter Playground 2020 -- December 5th @ 5 PM
Every year, Imlay City aims to ring in the holiday season with something special: Winter Playground!
This is a family and community-oriented event, so come one and come all. Downtown businesses welcome you with open arms as they offer an assortment of holiday readings, crafts for kids and adults alike, as well as warming stations with refreshments! Every year, the outdoor highlights include the lighted parade, the tree lighting, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Imlay City puts all of this activity on for you free of any charge! We just want you and your family to enjoy our town.
Imlay City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to bring you another amazing Winter Playground! This year, the downtown event will be held on Saturday, December 5th, 2020, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring and organizing the annual Winter Playground Parade, which will march through town at 6:00 PM.
>>For more information about the Winter Playground Parade information, contact Shannon Hamel (Executive Director of the Imlay City Chamber of Commerce) at (810) 542 - 3256.
Immediately following the parade, the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in front of the Imlay City Police Department.
During the evening, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be around town for children's activities; our small businesses will have crafts and warming stations; and horse-drawn carriages and more will be available in downtown Imlay City.
>>For more information about Winter Playground 2020, contact Lorrelei Natke (DDA Director) or Katrina Morrow (DDA Assistant) at Imlay City Hall (810) 724 – 2135.