Rockford, Michigan is preparing to welcome more than 50,000 visitors to its annual Start of Summer Celebration, city officials said. The four-day festival runs June 4 through June 7 in downtown Rockford.

A tradition that spans five decades

The Start of Summer Celebration has been bringing families together for more than 50 years, according to city officials. The event marks one of the longest-running community festivals in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.

The festival takes place along the Rogue River in Rockford's walkable seven-block downtown district. The city, located about 10 miles north of Grand Rapids, had a population of 6,142 at the 2020 census.

What to expect

The four-day event features a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. According to FOX 17 Online, the festival includes:

• Carnival rides
• Food vendors
• Local crafters
• Live entertainment
• Children's activities
• Beer tents

Saturday features a parade through downtown and a fireworks display, according to the report.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce maintains an events page with the full schedule, according to Experience Grand Rapids.

Why it matters for local businesses

The festival is a major economic driver for Rockford's downtown merchants. The city's downtown area is home to more than 20 food and drink destinations, according to Experience Grand Rapids. Local businesses rely on the influx of visitors during the event.

Rockford's annual Start of Summer Celebration will return June 4-7 in downtown Rockford. City officials expect more than 50,000 visitors for the tradition that has been bringing families together for more than five decades while supporting local businesses.

— FOX 17 Online

The Start of Summer Celebration is one of three major seasonal festivals organized by the Rockford Area Museum and the Rogue River Artists Association. The city also hosts Harvest Fest in late September and the Santa Parade in December, according to Experience Grand Rapids.

Planning for the weekend

Visitors can find the full event schedule on the Rockford Chamber of Commerce website, according to city officials. The festival occupies downtown Rockford streets along Main Street, Monroe Street, and Bridge Street.

Rockford is served by Rockford Public Schools and is part of Kent County. The city was originally settled in 1842 and incorporated as a city in 1935, according to Wikipedia.