Visual, performing and culinary arts for all at Sterlingfest 2024; new drone show, art walk, Lakeside City Center activation add special touch to festival

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI – The last weekend in July makes Dodge Park in Sterling Heights the destination for what has become the region’s favorite art and music festival, the Sterlingfest Arts & Music Fair, featuring premier sponsor Lakeside City Center! The Simply Spice tribute, John Michael Montgomery whose country songs set the standard for a generation, and heavy-hitting rock legends Night Ranger all come together on the AT&T main stage to bring visitors an eclectic blend of live entertainment across four stages at the Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair set for Thursday through Saturday, July 25, 26 and 27.

The main stage festivities cap off the first night of Sterlingfest with a dazzling new drone show in Dodge Park sponsored by Christian Financial Credit Union! Earlier in the day, stop by one of the restaurants in Dodge Park, food trucks along Utica Road or food vendors located near City Hall and the Upton House Museum and sample cuisine for every taste and multiple snack options like fresh lemonade, delicious fudge, hot kettle corn, grilled hot dogs, roasted almonds and more. Or join Connect Macomb in the Suds ‘n’ Sounds Pavilion for a beverage and some great music on the stage sponsored by Priority Waste and LGC Global. Then walk or run off all those calories at the Lakeside City Center SterlingFAST 5k on Saturday morning, July 27.

Enjoy dozens of rides, games of chance and skill and tasty elephant ears along the Stellantis Family Midway, located in Dodge Park near the Genisys Credit Union Kidz Tent. Register for a 10 a.m. guided walking tour of the DIA’s Inside Out public art pieces before returning to browse the offerings of dozens of art vendors in the Art Fair across Utica Rd. Grab some old-fashioned candy at the Historical Commissions fundraiser before taking a tour of the historic Upton House Museum from 1-4 p.m. on either July 26 or 27, or stop by the local author book sale between the library and police department on July 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Premier Sponsor Lakeside City Center will have a special activation on site including interactive voting stations where attendees can participate in the “Name Our Park” contest for one of the several new parks planned at Lakeside City Center, with a chance to win a bike valued at over $1,000. Additionally, attendees can share their photo memories of Lakeside to help create a visual history of its past as a tether for its future transformation. Attendees can even capture the moment with a fun and free vintage photo booth experience. Visit their booth to celebrate community, creativity and the exciting future of Lakeside City Center.

Utica Road will be fully closed, and several carnival rides and food trucks have been moved to Utica Road to allow for a less congested and more open experience for Sterlingfest guests. In addition, “courtesy carts” are available for those with mobility issues with multiple convenient pick up and drop off points throughout the festival.

This year’s entertainment lineup for all four stages includes:

The AT&T Main Stage in Dodge Park

Thursday, July 25:
- 7 p.m. – Taylor’s Story (Taylor Swift Tribute)
- 8 p.m. – Simply Spice (Spice Girls Tribute)
- Dusk – Christian Financial Credit Union Drone Show

Friday, July 26
- 7 p.m. – Carly Collura
- 8:15 p.m. – John Michael Montgomery

Saturday, July 27
- 7 p.m. – Beyond Eleven
- 8 p.m. – Night Ranger

The Ford Motor Co. and Brice Group at Graystone Consulting Jazz & Blues Stage

Thursday, July 25
- 12:30 p.m. – South Street Dixie Band
- 4:30 p.m. – Pat Smillie

Friday, July 26
- 12:30 p.m. – Planet D Nonet
- 4:30 p.m. – Dave Hamilton

Saturday, July 27
- 12:30 – p.m. – Sky Covington
- 4:30 p.m. – Jim McCarty & Mystery Train

The Priority Waste and LGC Global Suds ‘n’ Sounds Stage

Thursday, July 25
- 1 p.m. – Annmarie Jo
- 4 p.m. – Crewsade
- 9:30 p.m. - Persuasion

Friday, July 26
- 1 p.m. – Jimmy Auquier
- 4 p.m. – American Ages
- 9:30 p.m. – Space Cat

Saturday, July 27
- 1 p.m. – Reeds & Steel
- 4 p.m. – Foxound
- 9:30 p.m. – Cosmic Groove

Genisys Credit Union Kidzfest Tent Stage
- July 25, 26 and 27 – Noon – 8 p.m.

Nick James (music), Kevin Devine (music), Science Alive (nature), Rosco (clown), Joel Tacey (juggler), Little Creatures (nature), Just Joe Magic (magic), Lou’s Pet Shop (nature), Steve Floyd Duo (music), BenJammin (music), Gordon Russ (music) and Crazy Craig (juggler).

Sterlingfest 2024 sponsors include: All American Gutter Protection, Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, AT&T, Big Blue Swim School, Bonner Advisory Group, Brice Group Morgan Stanley Graystone Consulting, Christian Financial Credit Union, Connect Macomb, Corewell Health, DTE, Extra Credit Union, Ford Motor Company, General Dynamics Land Systems, Genisys Credit Union, Get Well Urgent Care of Sterling Heights, Giffels Webster, Hubbell Roth & Clark, Lakeside City Center, Leaffilter.com, LGC Global, Macomb Community College, Macomb County Department of Health and Human Services – Raise Hope and Foster Dreams, Metro Wire and Cable Corp., Michigan Lottery, National Flag Football, One Macomb, Pet Supplies Plus, Petitpren, PK Companies – The Block Apartments, Power Home Improvement, Prentiss Pointe Apartments, Prestige Cadillac, Priority Waste, Resurrection Brick, Stellantis, Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation, Urban Air Adventure Park, and World of Floors.

City of Sterling Heights Operations During Sterlingfest

City Hall will be open during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26.

Library will be closed July 25-27, but the lobby and restrooms will stay open to the public.

Community Center and Senior Center will be closed Monday, July 22 through Saturday, July 27 for all programs and drop-in activities.Offices will be available Monday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our offices will be open for phone calls only on Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26.

Election Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28.

Nature Center will be open for regular business hours and operations.

Bocce Barn will be closed Monday, July 22 through Sunday, July 28.

Splash Pad will be closed Monday, July 22 through Monday, July 29.

Dodge Park Thursdays will not be held on Thursday, July 25 and will return Thursday, August 1

Get additional details including maps, schedules, parking and shuttle stops at sterlingfest.info or call the Sterling Heights Community Relations Department at (586) 446-2470.

About the city of Sterling Heights
Founded in 1968, the City of Sterling Heights continues to be an inclusive, vibrant community that is safe, active and sustainable. The Sterling Heights 2040 Visioning Plan outlines a vision for exceptional quality of life through public safety, sustainability, mobility, enriched living and distinctive districts and neighborhoods filled with connected residents and innovative businesses. Sterling Heights’ excellence in livability includes a world-class library, 31 parks and green spaces, 30 miles of connected bike/hike trails, low taxes and crime rates and so much more. With roughly 134,000 residents, it is the second largest suburb in Metro Detroit, and the fourth largest city in Michigan. To learn more, visit sterlingheights.gov.