Founders Festival

Farmington, Michigan – The annual Farmington Founders Festival presented by Meijer returns this year for the 60th celebration of summer. This festival takes over Downtown Farmington during the Bicentennial celebration of the City of Farmington. There will be a soft open for the beer tent and food court starting at 5pm on Thursday, July 18. The main festivities will kick off on Friday at 10am with traditional events including the Crafters Market, Beer Tent with live music, Farmington Fido Fest, Touch A Truck, kids foam party, mobile gaming trailer, and more!
The Crafters Market brought to you by Bright Side Dental & Orthodontics Farmington will sprawl throughout the parking lot at Grand River and Farmington and on Farmington Road with over 100 crafters and vendors. Visitors can expect to see a variety of handmade crafts, jewelry, local artists, soaps, candles, garden art, ceramics, pottery and more.

Attractions Abound
Here’s a brief look at what festival-goers can expect.
• Beer Tent
One of the most popular and favorite attractions is Farmington Founders Festival Beer Tent and it’s returning to Downtown Farmington at Grand River & Farmington Road. It’s going to be a dance party with live bands all day and into the night! $5 cover starts at 5pm and you must be 21+ with valid ID to enter after 6pm. Cash only for cover. ATM on site.
Hours:
Thursday 5 – 10pm
Friday & Saturday 12pm – 11pm
THURSDAY 5pm – 11pm
** SOFT OPEN*** BEER TENT AND FOOD COURT ONLY***

• Food Court
A variety of food trucks will offer up everything from barbeque to gourmet pretzels to elephant ears.
Food Vendors:
Guys Pizza
The Indian Express LLC
Olive Thyme Catering
Keaik’s Food Truck
Elephant Ear Food Trailer
Sweet and Sticky BBQ
Impasto Food Truck
Hog Heaven BBQ
All City Dogs Inc.
Almonds R Nuts
MAAD House Tea
Different Twist Pretzel Bakery
Thursday – Saturday during festival hours.

• Bright Side Dental & Orthodontics Farmington’s Crafters Market
Creative and talented crafters will display unique handcrafted creations. Here, visitors will find that perfect one-of-a-kind art, handcrafted jewelry, handmade consumables or something whimsical for your garden.
Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am – 7pm

• Touch -A- Truck
Kids can explore big trucks, street sweepers and emergency vehicles.
Hours: Friday 1pm-3pm

• Kids Zone
NEW this year to the Kids Zone will be MichLUG with an interactive Lego exhibit. Plus, all the traditional fun is coming back including bouncers, stage shows, foam party, gaming trailer and Gellyball!
Come and witness MichLUG as they build the Farmington Founders Festival 60th anniversary logo on site. Check out the full LEGO city on site with moving and functioning elements. Get in on the action and build your own creation or minifigure. With options to purchase and take home your masterpiece.
Kids will get to dance and play at the Foam Party. The foam is Bio-degradable, Non-Staining, Non-toxic and Hypoallergenic! It’s also safe for babies, pets, the environment including lawns and gardens.
Motor City Gamers & More will be on-site with FREE video games! The Motor City Gamers And More video game truck is equipped with consoles from PlayStation5, XBox One X and
Hours: Friday 10am –7pm. Saturday 11am – 7pm.
**Some activities require a fee
Kids Zone Hours: Friday & Saturday 10am – 7pm

• Family Stage presented by Michigan Community Insurance Agency
Enjoy family friendly entertainment featuring shows on Friday & Saturday
FAMILY SHOW SCHEDULE
Friday, July 19
11:00am-11:30am Amazing Clark Magic Show
1:00pm – 3:00pm Touch-A- Truck
2:30pm – 3:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
3:00pm – 5:30pm Farmington School of Rock
5:30pm-6:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
Saturday, July 20
12:00pm – 12:30pm Earth Angels
1:00pm- 1:30pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
2:00pm- 2:30pm Earth Angels
3:00pm- 3:30pm Amazing Clark Magic Show
5:30pm- 6:00pm Amazing Clark Magic Show

• LOC Credit Union 5k Color Run
This 5k fun run will give participants the opportunity to run or walk through Shiawassee Park and Downtown Farmington along the parade route. Medals presented to age-group winners. Four color stations throughout the race route add a special experience. The race will be chip-timed by the Michigan Running Foundation.
Registration: www.FoundersFestival.com
Race begins: Saturday, July 20 at 9:00 am
• Corewell Health presents the Farmington Founders Festival Parade
This year’s parade theme, Farmington Through the Decades, is meant to celebrate the Farmington Bicentennial! and will take place on Grand River Ave between Powers and Farmington Road.
Hours: Saturday, July 20 beginning at 10:00 am

• Farmington Fido Fest brought to you by Volvo Farmington & LaFontaine Subaru Commerce Township
One of the festival’s most popular attractions is held at Riley Park! Farmington Fido Fest will include popular attractions from the Ultimate Air Dogs and K9 Star Productions Variety Show. Dogs and their owners can check out the newest doggy products or participate in one of the many contests throughout the weekend.
Dogs are also welcomed in the Beer Tent on Friday & Saturday from 12pm – 6pm to listen to live music and lounge in one of the cooling pools.
Hours: Friday & Saturday 10 am – 7 pm
CONTESTS & SHOW SCHEDULE
Friday
11:00 am Smooch Your Pooch
11:30 am Furminator (Biggest Hairball Competition)
12:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
1:00 pm Best Trick
2:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
3:00 pm Wiener Dog Race
3:30 pm Pug Run
5:00 pm Costume Contest
6:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
6:30 pm Puppy Dash (6 months & Under)
Saturday
11:00 am Best Trick Contests
11:30 am Smooch Your Pooch
12:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
1:00 pm Costume Contest
2:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
3:00 pm Chihuahua Race
3:15 pm Puppy Dash (6 months & Under)
6:00 pm K9 Star Productions Variety Show
6:30 pm Corgi Race
Sign up for contests at the DJ booth at least 30 minutes prior to each event.
ULTIMATE AIR DOGS JUMP SCHEDULE
Friday
Splash 1 – 11:00 am
Splash 2 – 1:00 pm
Splash 3– 3:00 pm
Splash 4 – 5:00 pm
Saturday
Splash 5 – 11:00 am
Splash 6 – 1:00 pm
Splash 7 – 3:00 pm
FINALS – 5:00 pm
** Times subject to change
More info: http://www.ultimateairdogs.com/event-info/2024/FidoFest.php

• Farmington Farmers Market
The Farmington Farmers Market will be at Farmington High School during Farmington Founders Festival on Saturday, July 20. They will feature fresh picked Michigan Street Corn, Field tomatoes, peaches and blueberries.

Festival Hours:
Thursday 5pm – 10pm – Beer Tent & Food Court only
Friday / Saturday 10am – 11pm

Farmington Founders Festival is produced by 360 Event Productions. The festival could not be made possible without the support from our sponsors including Meijer, LOC Credit Union, LaFontaine Subaru, Hornitos Tequila, West Side Distributing, General RV, Corewell Health, Bright Side Dental & Orthodontics Farmington, T-Mobile, Waste Management.

Look for additional details, program updates and schedules at https://www.foundersfestival.com/ or on the Founders Festival Facebook page.