Lansing’s Old Town held its sixth annual Festival of the Moon and 11th annual Festival of the Sun on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Old Town Commercial Association Communications Director Chad Badgero explains the difference between the two festivals.
Rebekah Cathey, a resident of Lansing’s Old Town, said she loves everything the area has to offer.
When the sixth annual Festival of the Moon and 11th annual Festival of the Sun occurred Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue, she was there to take part in the celebrations and help support her community.
“I live and work downtown in Old Town, and I love everything that Old Town brings,” Cathey said. “The fact that this is a fundraising festival makes it even better for the community … All the proceeds go to benefit Old Town and directly benefit my community, so why not?”
As two different celebrations that are placed back to back, the festivals each emphasized different beverage tastings as well as celebrations. Friday night featured a beer tasting with Kalamazoo-based Bell’s Brewery, Inc., in honor of the shortest night of the year at the Festival of the Moon. Saturday’s event featured a wine tasting of a variety of local wineries to highlight the summer solstice for the Festival of the Sun.
Chad Badgero, director of communications for the Old Town Commercial Association, or OTCA, said as the names would suggest, the two festivals are very contrasting.
“Festival of the Moon is much crazier — it’s louder, the bands are much more geared toward a young crowd … while Festival of the Sun is much more laid back,” Badgero said. “It’s meant to be more of a tasting, it’s not like last night, which is more about drinking, partying and having a good time.”
The event, which was put on by the OTCA, worked as a fundraiser to benefit the revitalization of Old Town.
Badgero said it was refreshing to see Michiganders come out and have a good time while still knowing what they’re supporting.
“It’s nice when patrons understand that it’s supposed to be fun, but they’re really basically drinking for charity and to help us make this district great,” Badgero said. “It’s thrilling when people make those connections because it’s a fun event.”
Wine pourer and volunteer Adrianne Pontz said many people come to taste test and support Michigan products.
“You have all your vendors here when it comes to beer and wine,” Pontz said. “They’re supporting Michigan and everybody comes to enjoy Michigan vending.”
Cathey said the variety of goods from across the Great Lake State make it almost impossible for people not to find something that interests them.
“There’s (so many tables) of all different kinds of things, you’ve gotta find something you like,” she said.
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