Canton Liberty Fest will celebrate its 27th Anniversary with three action-packed fun-filled days from Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16 in Canton's beautiful Heritage Park, adjacent to the Canton Administration Building, located at 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188.
This year’s event will take place on Thursday, June 14 from 1 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday, June 15 from 1 p.m. – 11 p.m. and on Saturday, June 16 from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Major sponsors for this annual community event, include: American 1 Credit Union; Atchinson Ford; Community Financial Credit Union; The Goddard School of Early Childhood Development; Sysco; Todd Wenzel Automotive; Twisted Rooster and The Village Dentist.
Area residents are invited to come and enjoy our exciting lineup of carnival rides, games and special attractions. If carnival rides and games are your thing, then we’ve got just what you need in the Family Zone. Purchase a single day wristband in advance and save! Wristbands allow access for one day only onto all the exciting carnival rides without a ticket. Discounted single-day wristbands are now available for $23 and can be used for any full day if purchased at www.cantonlibertyfest.com before June 14, 2018 at Noon. Don’t forget, we have Mega Bands that are good for unlimited rides for all three days for just $60 that can ONLY be purchased online by June 14 at Noon. Online sales require a $.99 per transaction fee. Get your wristbands today online at www.cantonlibertyfest.com before Thursday, June 14 at Noon and save! Wristbands will be available for purchase on-site for $27 on Thursday, $30 on Friday, and $30 on Saturday. All sales are final. For more information, call 734/394-5460.
Special sensory hours will be held on Thursday from 1-3 p.m., where carnival rides and Midway games, lights, and music will be turned off for festival-goers who are sensitive to large crowds and certain stimuli. This year Liberty Fest celebrates fun and fitness! Visit us at www.cantonlibertyfest.com to learn more about geocaching at the festival and the 2018 Liberty Fest Step Challenge. Festival-goers who log the most steps could win big!
The Taste of Liberty Fest and the Beer and Wine Garden will again be located near the Amphitheater. Satisfy your taste buds throughout the festival at the Taste of Liberty Fest, sponsored by Twisted Rooster, where participating area restaurants will present their local specialties and compete for bragging rights in a taste contest presided over by Canton Supervisor Pat Williams. This year’s participants include; All American Fare; Chop Stick House; Cold Stone Creamery; Krispy’s Fish & Chicken; Wacky Waffles; and more. Stop by the Taste of Liberty Fest for signature menu items from these restaurants from 4-10 p.m. on Thursday and 12-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday – sponsored by Twisted Rooster. On Friday and Saturday from 4 - 11 p.m., a delicious variety of food trucks will be parked near the Amphitheater; the tentative line-up includes: Cosa Sabrosa, Nu Deli Sandwiches, Chicken Coupe Chicken & Waffles, Naughty Boy’s Rolled Ice Cream, Kabob Kart and more! The Canton Firefighters’ #2289 Charity Foundation will host “Box Alarm BBQ,” a gourmet BBQ food truck, on-site at the Amphitheater all day on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., in place of their annual Spaghetti Dinner. Stop by for a delicious meal for a good cause!
On all three days of Liberty Fest, the Canton Rotary Club and the Plymouth-Canton Optimists Club will be hosting a Beer and Wine Garden, which is sponsored by O&W Distributors, on Thursday: 4-10 p.m., Friday: 4-10 p.m., and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Come cool off with a cold one, near the Amphitheater, where a selection of craft beers, hard ciders and wine will be available. Festival-goers must be 21 years to purchase these adult beverages.
Thursday, June 14 activities and entertainment includes Canton's annual Zumba Party, which will be held at the Canton LIVE! Stage from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We’ll provide the music and instructors – just come ready to move. Participants are asked to bring a water bottle to keep hydrated during this free event. Tommy Vale performs at the Heritage Park Amphitheater starting at 5:00 p.m., covering favorite oldies. The Prolifics will perform starting at 8 p.m., covering all your favorite Motown hits that the whole family will love.
Friday's Canton LIVE! Stage highlights include: Farmington School of Rock will get the crowd hopping with covers of favorite rock classics from 6-7 p.m. and Daniel Harrison and the $2 Highway will perform toe-tappin' Country tunes from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday Amphitheater Stage entertainment will feature: Alexandra N’Transit, performing powerful Rock and Blues jams from 5-7 p.m. and the Magic Bus will pay tribute to the era of Woodstock with a special performance from 8-10 p.m. celebrating Peace, Love, and Liberty Fest while featuring psychedelic rock music of the 60s and 70s.
Saturday highlights include the 23rd Annual Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Canton Lions Club from 7-11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Park Amphitheater. This year Chris Cakes of Michigan will be flipping pancakes high onto plates for those brave enough to catch them. Stop by for a tasty breakfast and make this a Liberty Fest tradition; while supplies. Canton Leisure Services is again joining forces with Running Fit to host the 7th Annual Liberty Run, including 5K, 10K, and One Mile events. Participants are encouraged to register at www.cantonlibertyrun.com and run, walk, or stroll in these events. Participants will also receive finisher medals, as well as a race T-Shirt. Plus, running theme-awards will be handed out to the best Stars, Stripes, and Shades running outfit.
Other Saturday Canton LIVE! entertainment highlights, include: the International Festival's cultural performances and displays will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., presented by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage, featuring cultures from around the world, such as: Indian, Chinese, Sri Lankan, and more! Big Time Cheer, an all-star cheerleading squad, will perform energetic routines from 3:00-3:30 p.m.; and Atomic Radio will take the stage from 8-10 p.m. to perform today’s top 40 hits.
Saturday Amphitheater Stage highlights include: Paint and Pour, a drop-in paint ‘n pour from 2-8 p.m., where 21 and over participants can enjoy an adult beverage in the Beer and Wine Garden and create a mini-canvas for just $5 (classes are held at the top of every hour); Sonic Freeway will take the stage from 4:00-5:30 p.m., performing the hottest dance hits; The Scott Martin Band will perform Rock and Country favorites from 6:15-7:30 p.m.; and The Feelgood Band will hit the stage from 8-10 p.m. playing popular tunes from the 80s and 90s.
Other Festival highlights include: the Liberty Fest Car and Truck Show on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is being presented in partnership with United Street Machine Association Customs & Rods. A special Firefly Drone Show will be held on Friday at 9:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. A special Meet and Greet a Clydesdale Horse area will be set up on Friday and Saturday from 1-8 p.m. An Inflatable Obstacle Course will be available for participants of all ages to compete in unlimited timed-runs from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday and 1-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Misting stations will be available throughout the park giving festival-goers a chance to cool off. Walk on the Wild Side, featuring Oasis Animals all day Friday and Saturday, will give all ages the chance to get up close and personal with some barnyard animals.
Canton Club 55+ will once again host its Liberty Fest Picnic for seniors on Thursday, June 14 from 5-7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Amphitheater. Participants will enjoy a picnic-style meal, fun interactive games such as Bingo, ice cream buffet generously provided by Heartland of Canton, plus transportation to the Concert in the Park - all for just $9 for Summit Members, $10 for Canton Residents or $12 for Non-Residents. For details, call 734/394-5485.
Be sure to check out merchandise from local artisans, crafters, businesses and vendors around the large pond at our Liberty Fest Marketplace on Friday from 4 p.m. to dusk and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to dusk. Liberty Fest returning favorites include: the Scholastic Book Fair; D&M Face-Painting; Lego Station; Spin Art; and more!
Finally, be sure to catch the spectacular fireworks show that’s sure to wow the crowds on Saturday at dusk. This year’s Liberty Fest offers a variety of family fun that you won’t want to miss! For more information, visit www.cantonlibertyfest.com or call 734/394-5460.