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.
Winter Playground
2018 Winter Playground
Storytime at Lamb Steele Park
The DDA was thrilled to work with the Ruth Hughes Library this past summer to bring StoryTime to the Lamb Steele Park Gazebo!
Miss Mandy was at the Gazebo for free, child friendly activities and reading. Last year's themes can be found below. We look forward to more StoryTimes in the summer of 2019!
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
11am
Frog Hoppin'
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
11am
Mo Willems
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
11am
Slow and Steady Turtles
Imlay City Farmers' Market
The Farmers' Market is open Mid May- Mid October. 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 & WIC Project Fresh and offers Double Up Food Bucks.
The Imlay City Farmers' Market is Farm Fresh and Locally Grown!
During our 2018 Market season we had all kinds of great activities!
First Thursdays of the month
Live music from 2-4pm featuring Jaime Marvin
Third Thursdays of the month
Live music from 2-4pm featuring Robyn Marriott
July 12th - Kids Day at the Market
Bounce House, Clown, Live Music and a Magic Show
Canning Demonstrations:
July 19, 1pm: Jams and Jellies
July 26, 1pm: Pressuring Canning Vegetables
August 2, 1pm: Tomatoes and Salsa
August 16, 1pm: Pickles and Relishes
Courtesy of Christine Venema, Food Safety Educator, MSU Extension
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! So if you spend $10, Double Up Food Bucks will give you $10! For more information regarding the EBT card please click here. For information regarding the Double Up Food Buck program, please click here.
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 $1.00 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
2018 FREE Summer Concert Series
Our Summer Concert Series begins on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Lamb Steele Park. All concerts will begin at 7pm. unless stated otherwise.
In case of inclement weather, concerts will be held in Heritage Church located at 543 N. Cedar Street (southwest corner of M-21 and M-53/Van Dyke).
June 19- Davis Green
June 26- The Amazing Clark and Lakestone Bank & Trust Ice Cream Social
July 3- Popsicle Plus (Free popsicles!)
July 10 - Arts n Scraps (Event time change to 6:00pm)
July 17- Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies Band
July 24- No Concert- Enjoy the Eastern Michigan State Fair
July 31- Rock of Ages Big Band
August 7- World of Music
August 14- 3rd Degree Burns
Thank You to
A vibrant arts and cultural scene is important to strong communities and Michigan’s excellent quality-of-life, and ultimately, to Michigan’s economy.
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.
Guy Louis, World of Music, and Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies Band are funded in part by Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
June 26 Ice Cream @ 6pm
The Amazing Clark
Join us for a great night of family fun and entertainment.
Free ice cream, sponsored by Lakestone Bank and Trust.
7pm
The Amazing Clark and his amazing show of tricks and illusions sure to be fun.
July 3 @ 7pm
Popsicle Plus
"Children learn about different instruments and have many interactive "sing-along" experiences. Cool costumes and silly jokes are also a part of the Popsicle Plus experience, so get ready for a great time!" (Free Popsicles for Children 12 and under while supplies last.)
July 10 @6-7:30pm
Arts & Scraps Mobile
July 17 @ 7pm
Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies Band
July 31 @ 7pm
Rock of Ages Big Band
Big Band Music including 40's Swing, Motown, Current Hits and more!
August 7 @ 7pm
World of Music
Everyone will love this hands on show featuring musical instruments from around the world. The show is a true journey from continent to continent while learning about different cultures and the music that makes them special.
This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
August 14 @ 7pm
3rd Degree Burns
3rd Degree Burns is made up of young musicians from the surrounding area.
The band is made possible by a non-profit Young Musicians Community.
Come out and enjoy a spirited performance!
Ice Cream Social
2018 Lakestone Bank and Trust Ice Cream Social
The Eleventh Annual Lakestone Bank and Trust Ice Cream Social and Amazing Clark!
The Ice Cream Social will take place on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 from 6-8 pm at the Lamb Steele Park. As with previous years, the ice cream and following entertainment were FREE to residents, friends, and families!!
Should there be inclement weather, the ice cream social and performance will be held at Heritage Church, 543 N. Cedar Street.
The event is financed by Lakestone Bank and Trust and Bank employees serve the delicious frozen dessert!
This is just one of the many ways that Lakestone Bank and Trust gives back to their community- and it is a crowd pleaser!
Last year the bank served over 18 gallons of ice cream to 350 people!
Busker Festival Parade
June 16, 2018
The Imlay City Downtown Development Authority would like to invite you to be a part of this year’s Busker Festival Parade on Saturday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. as we celebrate Imlay City and the 1st Annual Michigan Busker Festival.
The DDA sponsored Parade has been a long standing tradition that has featured civic organizations, entertaining high school marching bands, decorative floats, high-stepping dance demonstrations, honor and color guards, lively cheerleading squads, equestrian groups, and of course local firefighting/emergency units.
This year will be no different!
The Parade is a fun, effective and inexpensive way for your organization to reach several hundred parade observers, participants and their families. Trophies will be awarded for a variety of categories.
This year's Parade theme: Totally 80s!
Art in the Rough
The DDA was proud to once again host Art in the Rough. This year’s event was held in downtown Imlay City, on Third Street, on Saturday, September 29, from 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. The Lapeer Art Association co-sponsored the event.
We look forward to next year's Art in the Rough, to be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
Below you will find details regarding the 2018 event.
Tickets to the event are now available at a pre-sale cost of $15 at the City of Imlay City office, 150 North Main Street, Gallery 194, 194 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, and online by clicking HERE. Tickets will be available the night of the event for $20. The cost of the ticket includes admission into the event and complimentary beer and wine tasting. At least 15 artists are scheduled to show and sell their works in buildings located along Third Street in Pop Up galleries. The event is 21 years of age and older.
Back by popular demand: The VIP experience. Tickets are $50 and include admission to the venue including the wine and beer tasting and a Meet and Greet with the artists from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at Hiram's Tavern, 244 East Third Street. During the VIP event, guests will receive a complimentary. locally crafted ceramic mug, 2 drink tickets for specialty drinks only available at the VIP event, and appetizers. VIP members will enjoy music by local musician, Jamie Marvin, and have a chance to meet the participating artists. VIP tickets are also available at the City of Imlay City offices and Gallery 194.
Martina Hahn will have two performances during the event. You'll be amazed at what she can paint in a very short amount of time. Many of the artists located in the Pop Up Galleries will also offer demonstrations.
You won't want to miss spray paint artist, Joe Ferry! Joe will be creating a work of art right before your eyes!
We would like to thank our VIP sponsor, Milnes Auto Group, for their support of this awesome event!
Thank you to Vintech Industries for their sponsorship of Joe Ferry's appearance.
Also, thank you to Hiram's Tavern and the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce.