Dowagiac festival boosts local businesses

For the last thirty summers, Dowagiac has hosted a four day summer event in the heart of their city.

They call it "Summer in the City" and the name couldn’t be more appropriate.

"I'm trying to keep the cupcakes from melting but it’s a hot one that’s for sure," said Jordan Anderson.

Anderson is one of several businesses owners out at the 30th Annual Dowagiac Summer in the City Festival.

The event combines kid-friendly attractions like camel riding and a water dunk tank with festival food vendors selling everything from chocolate to homemade butter giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their products.

Paula Dickman owns Southwestern Michigan Buttery and has been coming to Summer in the City for four years.

“It always helps every year we make new connections and new customers," said Dickman.

And those networking opportunities are what makes Summer in the City a huge treat for new businesses.

“Because of the farmer's market and events like this I was able to get a storefront downtown here so I’ll be opening up in the fall," said Anderson.

But for now it’s still summertime and although the temperature is rising festival officials expect attendance to rise as well over the weekend.