By EVELYN CAIRNS
Country star Phil Vassar, award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, will perform on June 28 at the Taylor Summer Festival, which will open June 26 with a carnival and continue through June 29 with more concerts and attractions at Heritage Park.
Vassar has released eight albums, has won two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year trophies and was named Billboard Country songwriter of the Year.
Joining Vassar at the concert, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Sheridan Center, will be Ty Stone and Joe Jaber and the Last Divide. A fireworks display sponsored by Masco Corp. will follow the show (the rain date is June 29).
Tickets for the concert are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door, through www.etix.com or by calling 800-514-3849.
June 27 concerts will feature Journey tribute band The Rock Show and Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction. The Rock Show performance will start at 7 p.m., and Satisfaction at 9 p.m. Tickets ($5) will be available at the door only. The gates will open at 6 p.m.
The petting farm will be open during daylight hours.
Official vehicle parking will be available inside and outside Heritage Park for $5, and private paid parking in surrounding areas.
International buffet slated
“Old World European Flavors,” featuring the cuisines of Poland, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden and Norway, will be the theme of an international luncheon buffet June 19 at Henry Ford College in Dearborn.
The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fifty-One O One Restaurant. The eatery is run by students enrolled in the college’s culinary arts curriculum.
Starters will include Dill Pickle Soup, a Scandinavian smorgasbord of open-face sandwiches, Stuffed Deviled Eggs with Caviar, and Smoked Trout Pate.
The list of entrees includes Hand-Carved Roast Beef, Chicken Strudel and Stuffed Cabbage.
Among the irresistible desserts will be Crepes Flambe, Russian Cheesecake, Apple Strudel and Black Forest Bombe.
The cost is $14 per person. For reservations, call 313-206-5101. The college is located at 21000 Northline Road in Taylor.
Fireworks display set
The sky over the river in Downtown Detroit will be ablaze with color beginning at 10:06 p.m. June 23 when Ford Motor Co. sponsors an annual display of more than 10,000 fireworks heralding the Fourth of July.
Created and produced by The Parade Co., the pyrotechnic show is in its 56th year. It will be broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. on WDIV Channel 4. WJR-AM 760 will have a special radio simulcast during the event and provide up-to-the-minute traffic and weather information throughout the day.
A rooftop party offering a spectacular view of the fireworks is scheduled for 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the Miller Parking Garage. Tickets are $250, adults ($125 tax-deductible), and $100, children 6 and younger. Parking passes are available for $50. For tickets or passes, call 313-923-7400. For more information, go to www.theparade.org.
Coming up . . .
June 19 — Ice cream social marking the opening of the Downriver Council for the Arts Annual Members’ Show; 6 p.m. at the James R. DeSana Center for Arts & Culture, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte; no charge for admission; the show will continue through July 17.
June 27, 28, 29 — Trenton Summer Festival; downtown Trenton between Maple and Harrison streets; preview party on June 26 featuring food, beer and wine tastings and entertainment; for more information, go to www.trentonsummerfestival.org.
June 28 — Fifteenth Annual Cruisin’ Downriver, along Fort Street through Lincoln Park, Southgate, Wyandotte and Riverview; preferred access is Southfield Road; no registration fee; for more information, go to www.cruisindownriver.com.
June 28, 29 — Performances of “Nuts! The Musical” at the Theatre on the Avenue, 2656 Biddle Ave.; for ages 3 through 10; tickets, $8; performance on June 28 is at 7 p.m.; and on June 29, 3 p.m.; call 313-303-5269 for additional information.