DEARBORN, Michigan – Jazz up your summer at Greenfield Village’s seventh annual Ragtime Street Fair this weekend, July 13 -14, with special hours on Saturday until 9 p.m. Inspired by the festivals from the early 20th century, Ragtime Street Fair brings this unique period in American history to life through live entertainment, delicious summer street fair food, dramatic performances and even ragtime dance lessons.
A Ragtime Jazz Parade at Greenfield Village – photo credit: Michelle Andonian
Visitors can enjoy live entertainment celebrating these pre-jazz glory days with piano performances by Taslimah Bey, “Perfessor” Bill Edwards, John Remmers, Bill Meyer, Daniel J. McCarthy, Brent Beggs, Mary Pitcher, Carolyn Dicks and Jerry Perrine. The River Raisin Ragtime Revue and the Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band will keep the music flowing all weekend with special concerts Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, competing pianists will show off their talents in a high-energy, piano-cutting contest while guests can learn the steps to popular ragtime dances. If you’re interested in showing off more of your dance moves, join in on the cake walk competition, a traditional plantation dance in which the best dancer is given a cake.
Ragtime Dancers at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan
Throughout the weekend purchase farm fresh produce at the traditional street fair located on Main Street, including sliced watermelon, strawberries, peaches and corn on the cob. If you’ve really worked up an appetite, try a New Orleans-inspired Muffuletta sandwich prepared by The Henry Ford’s award-winning culinary staff.
Admission to Greenfield Village is free with membership or $24 adults, $22 senior (62 and up) and $17.50 youth (5-12). Children four and under are free. For more information, call (313) 982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.org.
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan is an internationally-recognized cultural destination that brings the past forward by immersing visitors in the stories of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation that helped shape America. A national historic landmark with an unparalleled collection of artifacts from 300 years of American history, The Henry Ford is a force for sparking curiosity and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators. Nearly two million visitors annually experience its five attractions: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre. A continually expanding array of content available online provides anytime, anywhere access. The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates 485 students a year on the institution’s campus.