The African American Downtown Festival to offer music, kids' activities and more

You know that people are having a good time at an outdoor event when they stick it out in a rainstorm.

And that’s what takes place when rain happens to fall during the annual, all-day African American Downtown Festival. This year's event takes place on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in the area around North Fourth Avenue and Ann Street in Ann Arbor.

“(Attendees) do not leave,” said AADF event coordinator Teesha Montague. “They do not leave. They may duck under one of the nearby stores’ awnings, or go into the stores for a while, but they do not leave. It’s amazing.”

This year marks AADF’s 18th year, and though there’s no overarching theme, there is something on offer for everyone: the music of Jake Lives Band and more; loads of children’s activities (including a puppet show, face painting, iPad gaming station, a bounce house, a photo booth, story time, health screenings and more); yoga for kids and adults; a “gospel blast” (with choirs, mime dancers, speakers and more); a salute to veterans and a community service award presentation; a dance performance courtesy of Fem Fatale Dance Studio; a scheduled visit from Martha Reeves; and a variety of vendors and merchants.

The festival’s location lies at the heart of what was, at the middle of the 20th century, Ann Arbor’s African American business district, and the late Lucille Porter—who founded the festival in 1996—wanted to commemorate and celebrate this aspect of the city’s cultural heritage with a splashy, fun annual event that would remind locals of the neighborhood’s history.

And while the festival might celebrate African Americans’ life, history and culture in Ann Arbor, AADF intends to—and always does—draw a broad range of people.

“You see people of all religions, all colors, all ages,” said Montague. “And I love to see that—all these different people coming together and just having a good time.”

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.