PEACH WEEKENDER

Weekend festivals are full of music and fun

8/7/2014

St. Mary‘ s Park in downtown Monroe will come alive tonight with the sounds of live jazz, as the 13th annual River Raisin Jazz Festival gets underway. The free four-day music festival kicks off at 6 p.m. today and runs through Sunday. The event features a main stage with famous acts that include Keiko Matsui, Alexander Zonjic, Marc Antoine, and Spyro Gyra. A second stage will feature local up-andcoming artists. Other highlights include the Downtown Monroe Fine Art Fair, food and vendors. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the festival over four days. For a complete lineup and schedule of performances, visit: riverraisinjazzfestival.com.

Bold bright colors, music, food, and dancing are all in store for the Festival of India celebration 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Terrace. This year’ s event marks the 25th anniversary of the festival, which celebrates India’s culture. The “My Big Fat Indian Wedding” themed event will feature an Indian drummer, folk and formal dances, a face painting booth for kids, and vendors selling Indian clothing, costume jewelry, arts and crafts, Henna, Tshirts, and more. Food vendors will serve up traditional Indian street food, including Bombay style mega sandwiches, Pav Bhaji (Indian style sloppy joe), Paani Poori, Bhel Poori, Samosas (fried potato and pea dumplings), and a variety of others. Admission and parking are free. Information: festivalindia25yrs.webs.com.

Little Sisters of the Poor will present their 8th annual Car Show and Motorcycle Run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Bikers will meet at Sacred Heart Home, 930 S. Wynn Road in Oregon, and ride to the Marblehead Lighthouse and back. Other highlights include games and prizes, 50/50 raffles, and a barbecue lunch. Riders will receive a swag bag for participating, and car show participants, dash plaques. Entry is $10 in advance and $12 the day of for car show participants and $25 per bike for motorcycle riders and $5 for extra riders. Donuts, coffee, and snacks will be available after the ride. Information: 419-698- 4331.