Stacey Barajas is a triple-threat. In a good way. She’s well connected in Bridgman with roles at Lake Street Eats, the Apollo Seiko plant, and — perhaps most importantly for fans of fun in the sun — the new phenomenon of the Bridgman Family Friday Fest.
The merchants of Bridgman experimented at the end of May with the concept of a family-oriented block party on the final Friday of each month. They clearly hit the jackpot, because they’re planning an even bigger and better event next week for the final Friday in June…the 29th.
Pop-up tents ballooned all over downtown Bridgman for the last one, and this next one is amping up to build an even bigger audience thanks to a sort of “party within the party.” Essentially, what’s happening is Stacey’s Lake Street Eats team will host a Family Friday Fest Burger Battle right in the middle of the street fest.
The Family Friday Fest kicks off at 6pm with all sorts of street vendors, kid’s activities, live music and more. Half-an-hour later, belly busters will go gut-to-gut in the first ever Burger Battle from Lake Street Eats. Entry fee in the burger eating contest is $15 which also gets you an official t-shirt, but the winner will get a free 13-oz Lake Street Burger every month for the next half year. You must register to participate by June 27th at Lake Street Eats in downtown Bridgman.
The Family Friday Fest in the city’s central business district will feature the Blue Shoes Jazz Band from 7-to-9pm, there will be lots of food opportunities, a Pop Up Artisan Market, and for the kids, Sand Castle Building with the professional Sand Pirate sculptor…a bounce house…water games…crafts…Chalk the Walk and more. It’s also a pet-friendly event and the festival runs until 9pm.
The Bridgman Family Friday Fest is sponsored on the final Friday of each summer month on Lake Street in downtown Bridgman and is sponsored by the Bridgman Merchants, the CGA, and by the City of Bridgman.
Stacey is the manager at Lake Street Eats and serves as chief organizer of the festival each month, with activities, vendors, booths and more strung along Lake Street largely between Maple and Mathieu Streets in the city. Make plans now to take the family and make your way to Bridgman for another great party next Friday.
