University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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TONIGHT ' S SPONSORED VirginiaHiltzl I he artistic mural welcomes visitors to the Sum- mer Festival. The mural represented the creativity that its founders placed into the 24 night celebra- tion of culture and art. Top of the Park concerts and movies were provided free of charge and spon- sored by local business. fl sign informs Summer Festival patrons of need for donations. The festival collected money in or- der to keep the movies and concerts at Top of the Parkfree of charge. Films like Casablanca, Field of Dreams, and Caddyshack played on top of the Fletcher Street Parking Structure. 68 Special Events Virginia I liltz

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Your ticket to a unique event IPW1816 | i j li .00! flftlNFL ftlSLE g ticket for a front row seat at the special events of the 1997-1998 school year. j SPECIAL EVENTS IN ANN ARBOR |PP 3X UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN j 4021 55 121 FLETCHER, ft IN ARBOR ICH 1937-98 :88 Pn Concerts, speakers, sym ihonies and art fairs all year. The traditional meflavorofacommu- nity. The annual Ann Arbor Fair and homecoming le back to their beloved alma mater. Other special ev! its were unique to the year as we hosted the talents a f the Counting Crows, others. The events of the l:im Sandier visited the I ' ni- tversity campus land shared his ' odd combina- ion of music and comedv. - year marked it as special. Special Events Special Events 67

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Ill ith the Fourth of July just around the corner, summer fever was at its prime. Temperatures finally escalated well into the 70 ' s, and there was a definite feeling that sum- mer had finally begun. Spring term had come to an end, and for many students who dared to stay in Ann Arbor for the remainder of the season, summer vacation was just beginning. Local residents awaited annual events that oc- curred only through the summer season, which brought the spirit into full force. The thought of hot dogs and lemonade, danced in the minds of local dwellers. Syndey Parfet, junior political science and women ' s studies ma- jor, said, People from Ann Arbor looked forward to it ev- ery year. It offered a change of pace from the things that go on in Ann Arbor during the summer. In a way, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival was much like a Macy ' s Thanks- giving Day parade. It gave people a imminent means of celebration for the sum- mer season as they filled the Fletcher Street parking structure for Top of the Park films and concerts. Others met at the Power Center to hear favorite musicians and performers. The planning and the performance of each event exemplified characteristics of the season. The sights, the sounds and the enthusiasm collaborated to form a stellar atmosphere that attracted numerous visitors. The Ann Arbor Summer Festival staff began one year ago to plan this year ' s event, and they started plan- ning for the next year even before the festivities had ended. Colleen Murdock, the festival ' s marketing director, noted that the planning of such a star-studded event was a con- tinual process throughout the year. Like the New York parade, the Festival was a tra- dition that maintained its devout following while simul- taneously attracting new visitors. Murdock said that thou- sands of enthusiasts from throughout southeast Michi- was the epitome of summer with an all-around relaxed setting. - Angle Wilier, junior, biology Major gan gathered to relish in the sounds and sights of the season, and to engage in the spirit that comes once year. The food and the activities were geared toward the feel- ings that thrive on the seasonal environ- ment; everything from bratwurst and beer gardens to ice cream and lemonade were available to pacify mid-evening cravings. With the absence of eggnog and roasted chestnuts, Ann Arbor had the aura of New York: holiday spirit and seasonal glee, amid talented musicians and movie greats. Musical entertainers such as the BoDeans, The Neville Brothers and Betty Buckley took over Power Center, while silver screen classics like Casablanca and Field of Dreams displayed eminence in their projection on the Fletcher Street parking structure. Junior biology major Angie Wilier, who saw Mothra and other screenings said that, It was the epitome of summer with an all-around relaxed setting and friendly atmo- sphere. ' ' Likewise, Parfet who saw singer Gordon Lightfoot said, It brought out people from all over to Ann Arbor. It was a great way to relax, be out and be entertained. Annual entertainers such as Capitol Steps pro- duced enough red, white and blue satire to compliment the unseasonable July 4th weather. Where Macy ' s had to face snow and cold, the festival met cold and hot, some days with rain and even a couple of tornadoes thrown in for some excitement. The week followed typical Michi- gan weather, where no standards apply. After the festivities had ended, Ann Arbor, like New York, returned to its normal state, with more locals than visitors, and with a regular parking structure for cars and not celebrities. By Kristin Long $ Year Established: 1984 o Nights of the Festival: 24 Number of Films shown at Top of the Park: 16 e Expected Attendance at Top of the Park: 2000 per Night cs Musicians in Appearance: 20 5 Restaurant Vendors at Top of the Park: 8 Nights with Rain: 7 ij Number of Tornado Warnings: 1 o Days below 60: 6 o Days above 85: 5 Highest Temperature: 89 c? Lowest Temperature reached: 61 0: Ann Arbor Police in Attendance: 2 per night Department of Public Safety in Attendance: 2 per night $ Organizers who plan Festival events: 4 full time members, 32 Board Members, Subcommittees with more than 64 Ann Arbor residents Source: Ann Arbor Summer Festival Summer Festival 69