What started as Sterling Heights Solid Gold Summerfest in 1983 has evolved into one of Michigan's biggest summer festivals and Sterling Heights biggest weekend of the summer, Sterlingfest.
Sterlingfest will run from Thursday to Saturday at Dodge Park and the Sterling Heights City Center.
“The goal of Sterlingfest is to celebrate our community by bringing everybody together to showcase the best of what our community has to offer,” said Melanie Davis, community relations director for the city of Sterling Heights. ”It has also become a homecoming of sorts. Our Suds ‘n’ Sounds Pavilion transforms every Friday and Saturday night into almost an organic high school-like-reunion.”
Davis said the festival welcomes about 150,000 visitors over the three days.
Sterlingfest is free to attend.
The Suds ‘n’ Sounds Pavillion is one of the three concert stages at Sterlingfest, along with the Main Stage and the Jazz & Blues stage. Among several music artists performing at the festival, this year features Grammy Award-winning and American country music singer Gretchen Wilson and 24k Magic Kingdom, a band covering songs from Bruno Mars and Gwen Stefani.
Davis said each year the festival has visitors from outside Michigan who fly in to attend its featured concerts.
But Sterlingfest is not only about music, Davis said.
"There is something for everyone," she said.
The festival hosts more than 30 food trucks and food vendors, as well as up to 100 art vendors, featuring jewelry, paintings and even plushies for kids. There also are food vendors such as Nothing Bundt Cakes, plus some of Detroit’s favorites like Jet's Pizza and Detroit Wing Co.
The festival is kid friendly, with more than 10 vendors designated just for children’s interests. Sterlingfest hosts a Kids Tent each day with face painting, karaoke and shows.
“I hope that Sterlingfest brings ... a lot of smiles, and a lot of fun for all ages,” Davis said.
Sterlingfest
When: Thursday, July 23-Saturday, July 25
Where: City of Sterling Heights campus, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
Admission: Free
Gabriella Shaya is a 2026 Detroit Free Press High School Journalism Apprentice.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sterlingfest celebrates best of what 'community has to offer'
