Flushing’s 2023 SummerFest goes ‘back through the decades’

A Flushing fire truck rolls onto Coutant Street as hundreds gather for a parade, signifying the start of Flushing Summerfest on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Flushing. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May

FLUSHING, MI -- The annual 2023 Flushing SummerFest is set for Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, June 11 with this year's theme being "Back Through the Decades."

SummerFest kicks off with the Flushing evening road race at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A parade will follow the race at 7 p.m. with the route starting behind Central Elementary, located at 525 Coutant St.

The parade route will then turn onto McKinley Road and travel down Main Street before ending on Maple Street.

Day two of the festival on Thursday features Kids Day from 1-3 p.m. at Riverview Park, 230 S. Cherry St., near the bandshell. Kids Day will include Touch a Truck, face painting, cardio drumming for kids, arts and crafts, KidSight vision screenings, princesses, children's ministry information, barrel rides and hayrides and book giveaways.

Later in the day on Thursday at 6 p.m., The Gym for Her and Flushing Area Senior Center will perform at the Riverview Park Bandshell. Judy's School of Dance will follow with a performance of its own at 6:30 p.m.

Friday will feature a beer tent near the bandshell from 5-9 p.m. The 80′s rock and pop band Sunset Blvd Band will also perform at the bandshell from 7-10 p.m.

Saturday's festivities include the SummerFest cornhole tournament at noon. Registration for the tournament begins at 11 a.m. The beer tent will be open on Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. A performance from the Beatles tribute band will round out the night at the bandshell from 7-10 p.m.

"We have two really great bands this year," Lesly Foreman, Flushing Chamber of Commerce Assistant Executive Director, said. "Alongside our midway we also have our amphitheater right downtown in the park."

The festival will wrap up on Sunday with the EAA77 annual pancake breakfast at Dalton Airport, 3400 Ann Drive, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $10 for adults, $4 for kids ages 5 to 12 and kids under 5 eat for free.

A church service with Mayfair Bible Church will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the bandshell. 1Fifty Band will put on a Christian concert following the service.

Carnival rides will be available each day, on Wednesday from 5-10 p.m., Thursday from 3-10 p.m., Friday from 1 -11 p.m., Saturday from 1-11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

All day vouchers for carnival rides are available to purchase for $25 at the event. Individual ride tickets can also be purchased on site.

Volunteers can sign up online to help out during the event.

Foreman said the Flushing Police Department announced all bags are subject to search.

"I haven't received clarification though on diaper bags," Foreman said. "Basically, what they are saying is that they would be subject to a search if you do bring them on the premises."

A full list of festival events can be found on the Flushing Area Chamber of Commerce website here.

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Flushing’s 2023 SummerFest goes ‘back through the decades’