ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Downtown Royal Oak’s signature festival is drawing record crowds in its 15-plus year run, with organizers reporting a 20% increase in attendance this year.
Michigan Lottery Arts Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar bank, spanning 18 blocks of downtown Royal Oak, features 60 restaurants and food trucks, offering visitors a diverse culinary experience.
At Jinya, one of the featured vendors, more than a thousand signature buns were sold on Saturday alone.
Beyond the food offerings, the festival showcases unique artisans, including Artifacts by Nomad, returning for its third year with distinctive 19th-century light fixtures.
This year’s event emphasized accessibility with a dedicated Family Day, featuring earlier start times specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum.
The festival’s entertainment lineup includes 200 bands performing across 10 stages, contributing to the event’s lively atmosphere.
Organizers anticipate reaching 360,000 visitors this year.
The event also maintains a strong charitable focus, aiming to raise $350,000 for 60 local nonprofits, including COTS, Forgotten Harvest, and the Rainbow Connection.