Again Ferndale’s Second Annual DIY Street Fair
Showcases Local Innovation and Creativity
The second annual DIY Street Fair returns to Ferndale this September.
The unique event celebrates homegrown, Do-It-Yourself ethic with a weekend festival featuring local businesses, artists, crafters, and forward-thinking innovators.
The DIY Street Fair takes place September 19 and 20, 2009 in the Southeast quadrant of 9 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, Michigan, simultaneously with the 2009 Funky Ferndale Art Festival.
The fair kicks off with live music on the Main Stage and the opening of the Beer Garden and Main Stage performances on Friday night, then leaps into full swing Saturday morning with the opening of the Marketplace, Restaurant Row, Kids Zone and Record Shop.
The outdoor marketplace will again feature vendors and exhibitors sharing and celebrating their passions, creativity and DIY spirit while patrons enjoy locally produced food and craft beer from Michigan restaurants and breweries. A beer-free kids zone will offer activities and family entertainment.
The second year will also showcase live music by regional independent recording artists on a (huge, concert quality) main stage throughout the weekend. Bands committed to perform include The Henchmen, Child Bite, Friendly Foes, Great Lakes Myth Society, Johnny Headband and The Hard Lessons.
“We were thrilled with the participation last year, and with the overwhelming response and support from the community,” said Chris Johnston who spearheaded the new annual Ferndale tradition and assembled the planning committee. “We are very excited to watch the fair to expand and evolve as a result of this success.”
The fair kicked off its first year in 2008 when Johnston,- a Ferndale resident and partner in local independent establishments, Woodward Avenue Brewers, The Emory bar and restaurant and most recently, The Loving Touch billiards hall - discovered he was constantly surrounded by self-driven, creative, and enterprising residents who continually enhance the quality of life in Ferndale.
“We wanted to provide an outlet for people’s creativity
in an inexpensive and non-intimidating way,” said Johnston.
The fair invites local artists, restaurants, brewers, and other independent business to showcase their talent. Interested vendors and exhibitors may apply at diystreetfair.com or pick up an application at Woodward Avenue Brewers, near the site of the fair itself.