The legendary precursor to Ann Arbor’s Annual Art Fair, the Townie Street Party, is back for its 17th year after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Full of live music, food trucks, drinking and creativity, this year’s block party will take place on Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on East Washington between Thayer and Fletcher.
Angela Kline, executive director of Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, hopes people will come out and experience the event.
“You’re doing something good for the community while having a blast,” Kline said. “It’s a fabulous way, not only to get your kids off of screens and come do something really active, run in the Dart for Art and then enjoy a free party all day, there’s that wonderful component, but you’re also supporting the arts in our community and free arts programs provided by the Ann Arbor street art fair.”
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original is the founding nonprofit of the Ann Arbor Art Fair, which is now run by three nonprofits. The Townie Street Party and the Dart for Art run are Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original’s art fair kickoff fundraisers that support community arts programs.
While the Townie Street Party is free, people do need to pay a fee to register for Dart-for-Art.
For the first time, the all-day block party will be held on a Sunday, giving families more time to attend and providing a better schedule for Dart-for-Art runners. The one-mile run is held in Downtown Ann Arbor at 9:30 a.m. the same day as the party.
“It’s cooler in the morning to run in July,” Kline said. “Also it gave families in the community more time to come to the event because previously it has been like an after-work event, and now it just gives people more time to come and enjoy this amazing free event.”
After their early run, Dart-for-Art runners will land directly at the post-race party, which will offer lots of fun.
The Voice alum Joshua Davis will perform a two-hour concert at 4 p.m. along with openers DJ Tres and Delta 88. Attendees will also get to explore their artistic side at the Art Activity Zone offering interactive activities for all ages hosted by The Ann Arbor Pottery Guild, The Ann Arbor Symphony, The Hands On Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center.
“We’ll also have Conrad The Unicorn,” Kline added. “If you’re not familiar with Conrad The Unicorn she was on America’s Got Talent and she’s like a balloon artist and she makes a giant balloon unicorn and she will be racing in the race and interacting with the kids.”
Additionally, Arbor Brewing Company will offer all-day mimosas and craft beers. Food will be provided by local food trucks including Bao Boys, Caya Grill, Impasto, Double T Foods, Bearclaw Coffee, Mity Nice Ice Gelato and Tutti Frutti.
Kline expressed gratitude to all involved in helping the event succeed, specifically sponsors DTE Energy, Bank of Ann Arbor, Epic Races and Bell Tower Hotel.
The Townie Street Party will take place at E. Washington and Ingalls Mall.
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