A two-day party, featuring music, fun stuff for the kids, a social tent, food zone, outdoor movie, parade and fireworks, just to name a few of the cool happenings and events taking place on August 7th and 8th at the Dexter Summer Festival.
Formerly known as Dexter Daze, the festival dates back to 1972, when it began as a simple sidewalk sale and since has grown to be celebrated as a longstanding annual event. In 2024, the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce became the new host and has again this year helped to organize the festival.
The Sun Times News connected with Becky Cobler, President of the Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce, to get a preview of this year’s festival.
“The festival is a two day party in downtown Dexter that thousands and thousands of residents and visitors enjoy each year,” Cobler said.
Looking out over everything that is happening over those two days, Cobler said building on the history of vendors and entertainment at this event, the chamber is bringing a second performance stage to town (doubling the number of bands), and is adding a corn hole tournament, kids’ entrepreneur area, dunk tank, VIP tent, Saturday night movie for teens and tweens, trivia, bingo and a lot more.
“The Friday night fireworks have returned thanks to the massive generosity of our Patron Sponsor, Dexter Orthodontics,” Cobler said.
The Saturday morning parade on the 7th is led by kids on bikes (a free bike decoration station is located in front of Destination Cyclery all day Friday) and ends with a flash mob. Cobler said last year’s mob drew 56,000 views on social media by the end of the festival.
There are three venues this year:
Monument Park (sponsored by Chelsea State Bank)-vendors, live music, and the social tent
Broad Street Plaza (sponsored by Pearl Planning)-live music, VIP tent, interactive adult activities, Saturday night movie
N. Mill Creek Park Action Zone (sponsored by Aubree’s)- bounce houses, kid entrepreneurs, kid entertainers
Considering all of the things taking place over the two days, Cobler said a big reason for the festival this year is its supporters.
“The Summer Festival costs about $50,000 to produce each year and is only possible because businesses in and around Dexter are committed to this community and frankly put their money where their mouth is,” Cobler said. “It is difficult to put into words how very grateful the Chamber is to our sponsors and volunteers.”
To see the map, schedule, sign up info for Corn Hole tournament, kids entrepreneur area, parade, flash mob, volunteering, etc., all of the details about the festival, go to www.dextersummerfestival.com.
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
