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Arts, Beats & Eats Festival in Downtown Royal Oak
Oakland County's favorite family summer fest is back with all the best food, music and creative finds during Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2012
Filling the streets of Downtown Royal Oak for its 14th year, the beloved Arts, Beats & Eats festival's got the snazziest, jazziest and tastiest Labor Day weekend in store for families all across southeast Michigan. It all heads back to town Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2012.
From Friday to Monday, artists, musicians and food enthusiasts from all over metro Detroit and the United States come together in one summer event that never fails to entertain (and feed!) festivalgoers of all ages. This year, in addition to over 200 musical performers and even more local food vendor faves, sports lovers can practice their free throws and meet former NBA and USA basketball star, Muggsy Bogues at Metro PCS' Basketball Dream Tour.
The Kids Zone offers even more fun for little ones all weekend long. Check out the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music's interactive music show, where their inner rock stars are unleashed – or swing by the Detroit Red Wings' clinics for a shot at the puck and other hockey how-to's. Plus, the Kids' Stage will be full of family-friendly music, magic, stories, puppet shows and clown fun every event day, alongside inflatable play spaces, giant slides, bumper cars and tons of other kids' activities made just for little hands.
When everyone gets hungry, roam tents upon tents of downtown restaurants dishing up everything you crave. From savory seafood, ethnic spices and all things grilled to yummy sweets, kid-sized bites and anything you can put in a bowl or on a bun, this fest will serve it up in a snap.
After chowing down, visit one of (or all!) eight stages for a variety of live music. Check the International Stage for Polish Polka, Japanese drums, Latin rock, Celtic beats and Caribbean grooves. Sit back for the Cultural and Acoustic stage, which includes performances by the Detroit Saxophone Quartet. And if you're looking for more local jams, there's a stage just for the metro-area musicians!
Event hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday.
Admission is $3 before 5 p. m., $5 after – and free for tots 3 years and under. Proceeds support the festival and community through Arts Advocacy, as well as benefiting 13 local charities.
For parking and transportation information – plus a complete events schedule – be sure to check out the Metro Parent event listing for the 2012 Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak.
