Rockin' Festival Rolls into Blissfield

The theme for the River Raisin Festival, July 9,10, and 11, is Rockin’ on the River. The theme is appropriate because the river will certainly be rockin’ but so will the parks and streets of Blissfield as the action gets underway, unofficially, on Wednesday, July 7, when the carnival comes to town. The Jules & Beck combined shows will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday and again at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

On Thursday, July 8, the pre-festival excitement continues at 9:30 p.m. with Movie Night at Ellis Park. Organizers have gotten their hands on a real retro gem, “Back to the Future,” rated PG and totally remastered in super-quality high definition. The open-air theater will be set up in Ellis Park in the vicinity of the outfield portion of the ballpark.

Food will be available from vendors who have arrived early for the festivities to come.

The River Raisin Festival kicks off on Friday with action on three fronts around the parks area: Tugboat Stage, Dockside Deck, and Pavilion Stage--all within easy walking distance of each other. The action comes on all three areas and spectators will have a hard time deciding where to be entertained with variety shows coming from three directions.

Friday performances will be highlighted by the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant at 6 p.m. featuring Miss Michigan with Midlyfe Crises performing at 9 p.m. and fireworks to follow.

Saturday starts off with the River Raisin Festival Volleyball Tournament. Registration for the 4-on-4 co-ed competition begins at 8 a.m. Teams are advised that it would be appreciated by organizers at the Blissfield Recreation Department if captains registered their teams on Friday and paid the entrance fee. 

There will be cash payouts based on total registration. For more information, contact Ben Brown, (517) 403-0845, or Seth Gebert, (734) 657-0078, or send an e-mail toblissfieldrec@hotmail.com.

Various stage presentations and other attractions too numerous to mention will be occurring on stages around the park area all day long. The traditional parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., but don’t miss the Saturday night Laser Light Show by the Gail Giles Memorial Swimming Pool after the sun goes down.

Sunday, whatever else you set your sights on, be sure to take in the Miss River Raisin Festival Talent Revue at noon followed by the Blissfield River Raisin Festival Idol Contest (entries still welcomed--visit www.blissfield.net) at 2 p.m.

Don’t be shy, come to the Pavilion Stage and belt out your solo with the possibility of winning cash prizes and a professional studio recording session provided by Talent Live Studios.

Registrations will be accepted at the festival and contestant check-in will start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday with a junior division (15 and under) and adult division. 

Contestants provide their own background music or accompaniment with their own instrument. Sound equipment and microphones will be provided. For more information, contact Carla at 734-620-0246, carla@partytimemusic.net, or www.partytimemusic.net.

There will be a non-competitive 12-and-under talent division titled “Kid-tastic Youth Talent Show on the Tugboat Stage, Saturday at 5 p.m.

In short, don’t be anywhere other than Blissfield from Wednesday through Sunday so you don’t miss a minute of the action.