By Jennifer Giering
President
Dearborn Chamber of Commerce
By all accounts, Taste of Dearborn West was a smashing success this year. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Jim Thorpe, Ameriprise Financial; LaFontaine Automotive Group; and Allegra Print, Design and Marketing.
The fantastic restaurants provided an epicurean experience second to none for the more than 800 people who participated this year — more than double the number of attendees in any past year.
This food festival draws a large crowd who may not have experienced Dearborn’s restaurants or nightlife recently. It’s an event we will continue to grow and we encourage people to participate in Taste of Dearborn East scheduled for Sept. 14.
We have two new, fun events lined up for the summer, both designed to showcase the community. First is the Concert in the Courtyard, hosted by The Henry Hotel and sponsored by Ford Motor Land Development Corp. and Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.
Come out for a summer evening of music, food and cocktails. If you don’t have tickets to Jimmy Buffett, Pete and the Parrotheads will take you on vacation with their island sound. The concert is free and each attendee will receive a $5 food and drink voucher. Additional food and beverages will be offered at a nominal price. The concert is 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 21 and will take place in the courtyard adjacent to the hotel.
The following week, across town, on July 26, the Dearborn Farmers and Artisian Market will have its special evening debut. Various vendors will be on hand from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as will music, food and children’s activities. The market is located in the parking lot directly behind the Bryant Branch Library which is situated at the northwest corner of Michigan and Mason in downtown west Dearborn.
Whether it’s date night, or family night, there will be plenty to see and hear in Dearborn in July! And remember you can find more music at Music Under the Stars hosted by the City of Dearborn, Jazz on the Avenue every Wednesday hosted by the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and Friday Nites in the Park sponsored by the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority. For the complete event calendar, go to www.dearbornchamber.org.