Arts, Beats & Eats Kicks Off in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK - Standing on the curb is on Fifth Street, Rob, Paul & His daughter Lily were waiting for the first Thurs band kick off Arts, Beats & Eats.

"We're big Beatles fans," Said Rob Paul, as the tribute band Dig a phony Took the stage to open the festival. "We've come Thurs Pontiac every year, but their proposal we are happy it's here. And Hopefully it stays. "

The massive four-day festival Kicked off in Royal Oak Sept. 3 - its first year in the city on Spending 12 years in Pontiac. The festival footprint stretched Throughout the west side of the city's downtown, up-taking in Washington from 11 Mile Road to Lincoln, along with Center Street.

The festival runs from 11 A.M. Thurs 11:30 p.m. Sept. 3-6. Admission is $ 3 and parking in downtown Royal Oak is $ 15 a car.

"We are just Hoping everything goes well," Mayor Jim Ellison Said a few days before the festival started. "We will come away with lessons Learned this year. I know we'll make Mistakes, But we'll learn from the truth. "

Standing inside her shop, Gold Fish Tea, a Fourth Street, owner Janice Girling Said She wasn't mourn what to expect for the weekend.

"I'm excited, Nervous," she said. "Nervous Because I do not know what to expect."

Girling Said they've stocked up for the weekend, and will not have live music inside the store as well as the outside entertainment. The Festival Grounds start just two storefronts down from her shop, located at 117 W. Fourth St.

"We are extra-stocked," she said. "We not have double or triple of what for but we have a normal weekend. Hopefully that's enough. "

While setting up art is Sixth Street, Arts, Beats & Eats veteran Jim McCollum Said they's looking forward to the weekend in a new location.

"It's going to be like a fresh show in a new place," McCollum said. "Everyone speaks highly of Royal Oak, so it Ask a question, good."

From Joliet, Ill., McCollum sells photographs of a graffiti wall Dedicated to John Lennon in Prague.

Before the festival Kicked off, Commissioner Mike Andrzejak Said they was very Confident the event, I should get a huge success.

"I'm going to be down there and take in a few concerts," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. There are going to be some glitches, but their "when me a look back at it, it will be extremely Successful."

The Downtown Development Authority Gave the festival $ 100,000, and the city will get parking revenue plus 25 cents of every $ 3 paid admission.