What’s Happening This Weekend at VillageFest, Grosse Pointe’s Largest Festival?

GROSSE POINTE, MI — Grosse Pointe's largest community celebration, VillageFest, this year produced by Holy Cross Children's Services, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, in The Village. A ticketed fundraiser will be held Friday, Sept. 9.

VillageFest is a free, annual festival open to the public designed with activities for each member of the family. VillageFest includes live music and entertainment, food and refreshments, an automotive exhibition and car show, and fun activities for children.

VillagFest activities take place throughout The Village, covering the entire three block shopping district on Kercheval Avenue, between Cadieux Road and Neff Road, in The Village. Vehicular traffic is diverted off Kercheval, the main thoroughfare downtown, to create areas for hospitality and safe play for all ages.

VillageFest visitors will enjoy several new features this year, including WSCX Swap Meet where one can buy, sell and trade LPs, CDs and music memorabilia. Also, Village restaurants are highlighted with special deals for dine in and take out to enjoy all the music at the main stage.

This year many establishments have created special VillageFest Restaurant Week special deals. Beer and wine are available for purchase through the weekend and proceeds benefit Holly Cross Children's Services .

Kick off for Kids is VillageFest's Inaugural fundraiser benefitting Holy Cross Children’s Services from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Scott Shuptrine, 17145 Kercheval Ave. Patrons enjoy cocktails, entertainment and a strolling supper featuring the chefs and restaurants of The Village with special support from The Whiskey Six. Tickets are $100 and available here.

Returning this year are several familiar features such as “Grosse Pointe's Got Talent” live talent contest featuring Grosse Pointe students. A middle school category has been added, and high school students can perform as usual. The talent show is sponsored by Versa Development and the competition takes place on stage from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept 10.

The live contest winner will get to perform in the 41st Annual Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade, produced by the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, in November.

The Saturday Night Dance Party sponsored by Kercheval Dance takes place from 7-10 p.m. and features DJ Uncle Buck.

Corvette for Kids is a raffle to benefit Holy Cross Children's Services and the prize drawing is a restored 1961 Corvette. Tickets can be purchased in advance online and in The Village Saturday Sept. 10 The wining ticket is drawn at 7 p.m. on stage and announced live on WCSX.

VillageFest offers live entertainment each day from the WCSX Stage The schedule follows:

Saturday Sept.10
12-1 p.m.: Color Blind
1:30-3 p.m.: Power Play Band
3:15-4:30 p.m.: Mad Rabbit
5p-7 p.m.: Grosse Pointe's Got Talent
7p-10 p.m.:WCSX’s Uncle Buck DJ

Sunday Sept. 11
12-1 p.m.: Bobby McManus
1:30-3:15 p.m: Danny D and the Vagabonds, the Award Winning Rod Stewart Tribute Show
3:45-5 p.m. – CHIT

The VillageFest Car Show, sponsored by Ray Laethem, celebrates the Grosse Pointe area's rich automotive history. Featured automobile classes include classic, exotic, hot rod, and antique vehicles. All entries qualify for daily awards.

Kids on the Block includes a bounce house, a giant slide, carnival games, and other fun activities for youngsters. The Grosse Pointe North High School Robotics Team will perform live demonstrations. Activities for kids also include LEGO fun with The Robot Garage.

Local fine artists will be donating a portion of sales to Holy Cross Children's Services.

VillageFest is supported by WCSX, Ray Laethem, Harvey's Memorial Animal Hospital, Kercheval Dance, Aitken & Ormond Insurance, DTE Energy, The Robot Garage, Versa Development, Mathnasium, Scott Shuptrine and The Grand Hotel.

Support also comes from CVS Pharmacy and Kroger and promotional partners Grosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe Times and Pointe Magazine.

Additional information about The Village, downtown Grosse Pointe is available for the general public online.

Image courtesy of The Village, Downtown Grosse Pointe