Ortonville- A new season of Beets, Beats & Eats is underway at Crossman Park downtown.
The event, now in its fifth year, features local vendors, musicians and dinner at 6 p.m. every Friday night during the summer, with different themes each week.
‘It’s so exciting to share with everybody that there is something to look forward to Ortonville,? said Pam Belding of the Downtown Development Authority. ‘Come share a smile and have fun while we can.?
On July 2, the Ortonville United Methodist Church will offer a dinner of hamburgers, quarter-pound hot dogs, homestyle baked beans, potato chips, and ice cream sundaes, for a cost of $5 per person, or $3.50 for a child’s hot dog meal (12 and under).
The theme for the evening will be Community Outreach, in which non-profit organizations from the area will be represented and available to discuss their groups and opportunities for citizens. Organizations confirmed to be there that evening include the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund, the Community Emergency Response Team, the Downtown Development Authority, and several therapeutic horseriding facilities.
Vendors at BB&E this year will include Warren glass artist Bonnie Howey, who offers glass jewelry, stained glass, and glass plates; photographer Brenda Timmermans, who will take candid shots at the event for purchase; metal artist Tyler Baker, 12; Mary Jane and Bill Devins of Northern Cabin Candles; and Belding herself, who creates art out of burlap, using handmade beads and found objects, and also sells handmade magic wands and Tibetan prayer flags.
Porter’s Orchard has signed on for the farmer’s market portion of the event.
There are plenty of vendor spots still available to give local citizens an economic outlet for their handmade or homegrown goods. Booth space is 10×10 and is $15 each Friday.
Local musicians are also invited to share their talents acoustically.
The calendar for this year’s BB&E includes Desert Angel Packing Party, July 9; Bike Night, July 16; Self-sustainable Living, July 23; Classic Car/Kids Night, July 30; Quilt Show, Aug. 6; Pet Night, Aug. 13; Kids Night, Aug. 20; Garden Exchange, Aug. 27; and wraps up with Photo Contest, Sept. 3. Expected dinner vendors include Papa Bella’s, Ortonville United Methodist Church, and the DDA. An opening for a dinner vendors is available the evening of Aug. 13.
For more information, call DDA Executive Director Molly Lalone at 248-627-8070 or Market Manager Debbie Baker at 248-240-0907.