Entertainers and free parking: What to know before you go to Taste of Brighton

BRIGHTON — Visitors to downtown Brighton can taste the best of local restaurants and retailers during the city's annual "A Taste of Brighton" this weekend.

Organizers have promised a bigger, more musical festival than ever, with new offerings to celebrate the completion of streetscape construction.

The festival runs 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, July 12, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, July 13, along Main Street.

More than 70 local businesses are participating this year, according to organizers, including boutiques, retailers, restaurants, social district establishments and service businesses. To be considered for a spot, vendors must have a brick-and-mortar commercial address within the city.

Visitors to downtown Brighton can taste the best of local restaurants and retailers during the city's annual "A Taste of Brighton" this weekend.
Visitors to downtown Brighton can taste the best of local restaurants and retailers during the city's annual "A Taste of Brighton" this weekend.

Who are this year's entertainers?

Fourteen musical acts are included in this year's line-up, including acoustic acts throughout downtown and bands on three stages — one near Grand River Avenue, one near the railroad tracks, and The AMP on the Mill Pond.

Headliners will cap off festivities from 8-11 p.m. each night at The AMP, with Local Heroes performing Friday and Billy Gunther and The Midnight Riders on Saturday. Other bands include The Ashleys, Miranda and the M80s, Zang and Paddock.

A link to the full music line-up is available on the festival's website at tasteofbrighton.com.

Where should I park?

Free parking is available in two locations — Brighton High School and the BECC Building — with a free shuttle service from LETS, new this year. LETS will run shuttles every five to eight minutes.

Shuttles will run to and from Brighton High School, 7878 Brighton Road, from 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Saturday.

Shuttles will run to and from the BECC Building, 125 S. Church Street, from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Saturday.

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What family-friendly activities are included?

The bounce house children's area will return this year, plus entertainment offerings for youngsters, teens and their families near the Imagination Station playground, including a mobile video game trailer, trivia, face painting, a ring toss and a balloon artist.

Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: What to know before you go to Taste of Brighton on July 12-13