Heritage Festival is set to shine

Almont’s three-day event kicks off Friday

 

ALMONT — All of the planning and organizing that has taken place in recent weeks and months will be put to the test this weekend when Almont hosts their Heritage Festival.

The three-day event, Sept. 20 – 22, is expected to draw several thousand people to the community, giving Almont businesses a chance to shine and make an impression.

Organizers have not set back and become complacent with their success of past festivals. Rather, they have been determined more than ever to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever before.
The 2024 version of the Almont Heritage Festival features many new twists, including the addition of a third day to the Village’s celebration.

Each September, the Village takes time to honor the community’s history and heritage while also celebrating the future of the community. The proud tradition of Almont history will once again be on full display.

The event is sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and various business partners that are expecting another large turnout of visitors.

Village Manager Dale Kerbyson said, “We are pleased to be able to provide what we call “hard barricades,” something not easily moved, so people are safe walking up and down Van Dyke looking at the more than 500 cars that we are expecting.”

Kerbyson said there will be a heavy presence of law enforcement, both locally and from the Lapeer County Sheriff Department, along with other volunteers.

“We will be able to provide a very safe and controlled area, unlike some other years.”

He predicted there could be as many as 5,000 people in town over the weekend.

“We are excited and proud to be hosting this great event and we want to encourage people to come out to Almont,” said Kerbyson.

Almont DDA Executive Director Angela Edwards said, “We are so excited to finally bring the entire event into the heart of our downtown, and the huge economic impact it will have on our local, small businesses.”

Edwards says the car show is predicting over 500 cars this year, after last year officially put ‘Almont on the Avenue’ on the map.

“We have Waylon Hanel opening for The Family Tradition Band on Friday night and Sunset Blvd. performing on Saturday night,” Edwards explained.

“Beyond that, we also will have a kid zone with a bounce house, clown/ face painter, and balloon artist, ‘vendor row’ on Mill St. with vendors selling a variety of goods, food trucks, and our local restaurants who will be selling a variety of special ‘grab and go’ meals to satisfy every appetite.”

The DDA director also said, “With our social district in place, attendees are also welcome to grab a beverage from one of our participating tavern owners (in a designated social district cup), and enjoy the festival with it. On Sunday, we have our second annual Heritage Fest 5K, that has now expanded into a 1 Mile Fun Run and 10K as well! Preregistration is still available for both the car show and the race!”

Edwards said last year’s festival was such a success, organizers cannot wait to see what this year brings.

On Saturday, large crowds are anticipated to fill the downtown area for the popular Classic Car Show along with vendors, all on Main Street (Van Dyke).

Along with all the planned events, visitors will also have an opportunity on Friday and Saturday to take time and visit the Almont Historical Museum to learn about the early days of the Village.

Visitors can find a partner and compete in a cornhole tournament beginning at 1 p.m. while entertainment by Sunset Blvd. will run from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Many of the scheduled events will take part in the area of Main St. and E. St. Clair, in the heart of downtown.

Sunday will premiere the first Almont Heritage Festival 1 mile Fun Run, 5K and 10K races, organized by DDA Vice-President Hollie Miller.

Contestants are asked to please pre-register, with the first 100 runners receiving a commemorative hat.

Registration and check-in is set for 8 a.m. with runners taking off from the starting line at 9 a.m.

DDA President Andrew Roosa added, “The DDA’s mission is to promote the Downtown Area and Central Business District which enhances the Almont Community as a whole. The success of our businesses depends on the stability of our beautiful downtown which is now flourishing with many new additions. The success of Almont depends on our businesses, its a very symbiotic partnership the DDA is proud to be a part of. Because of this, our existing business are also seeing an increase of foot traffic.

“The Heritage Festival is just one event the DDA uses to promote our awesome community to those who live in Almont along with our neighboring communities. The goal is to bring everyone together. The people of Almont deserve one day a year without any traffic to enjoy just walking around downtown with their friends and family.

Basically, the easiest way to not miss anything is to just be here for this community event. You really don’t want to miss it!”

For more information on the Almont Heritage Festival, you can visit their website at almontdda.com or find them on Facebook.