WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI., August 22nd, 2023 – This August marks the thirteenth annual Parkridge Summer Festival and Joe Dulin Community Day. Taking place Saturday, August 26th, 2023 in Parkridge Park in Ypsilanti, this free event will offer attractions for all ages. A variety of activities are scheduled from 11am – 6pm with community resource and health tents available from 11:30am – 2:30pm. Parkridge Summer Festival and Joe Dulin Community Day is a partnership between the Parkridge Summer Festival Committee and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED).
The Parkridge Summer Festival Committee reflects on the beginnings of the festival. “In 2010, no one knew a conversation between Ypsilanti residents Zana Wilson and Anthony Williamson about the history of the 1970s Black Arts Fair would inspire this event or that it would still be going strong 13 years later.”
“The Parkridge Summer Festival Committee members are grateful for the continued support from county and city government as well as all of our partners, vendors, and volunteers. More importantly, we truly appreciate each community member for coming to Parkridge Park and making this event a success year after year,” committee member Ricky Jefferson shared.
Activities will include local entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, and free community resources for local residents and families.
Live music and entertainment during the event will include:
- DAJA
- Funk Wagon
- Kid Jay
- Tindall
- Mckinney
- Prince Marc Jakob (PMJ)
- Local dance group
When Parkridge Summer Festival began in 2011, Joe Dulin Community Day took place on the same day. In 2012, the two events moved to join forces and merged the events to bring fun and resources to the Ypsilanti community. The event is now hosted annually to provide information about various resources available to Washtenaw County residents in a fun and family-friendly environment that encourages increased awareness and greater access to services.
The nonprofit resource tents will be available from 11:30am to 3:00pm. More than 60 nonprofits, social service agencies, and community organizations will be onsite to provide information and free resources to families in addition to 25 University of Michigan Health departments who will provide free health screenings (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, children's vision, and more) and a vast assortment of health education, information, and resources.
Alfreda Rooks, Director of Community Health Services at University of Michigan Health, shares, “Participating in community events, where we can connect with people to provide health education and clinical services closer to home is part of commitment to improving community health.”
Other event highlights:
Hot dogs, chips, and water will be available for all who attend. Grills, alcohol, and dogs are prohibited from the festival.
The late Joe Dulin was the founding principal of Ann Arbor's Roberto Clemente Student Development Center serving students who struggled to be successful in traditional school environments. Mr. Dulin is also responsible for making National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) a nationwide annual day. We honor his commitment to the community with this annual event.