June Fest offers family fun

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Get ready for fun family time at this year's June Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 1 in downtown St. Clair Shores, on Greater Mack between Nine Mile Road and Cavalier Drive. 

Gloria Kinne, owner of Circare, said families can expect a wide variety of activities and a wonderful day of family fun. She also said there are things for adults to enjoy as well as children. According to a Facebook post by Downtown St. Clair Shores, this event is fully supported by the 9-Mack Merchants Association.

“It’s geared for the entire family,” Kinne said.

There will be a kid zone filled with inflatables, face painting, a trackless train as well as sales hosted by the businesses found in downtown St. Clair Shores, and a craft fair down the center of the street. There will also be kids crafts sponsored by different businesses, dance performances and much more.

“There’ll be plenty to do and to see,” Kinne said.

Yoga will also be happening in the morning starting at 10:30 a.m. Kinne said it’s a fun day.

“I think we’ve been doing this for 28 years now and it’s a way for us to give back to the community and just have a good time,” Kinne said. “Just invite people to come down and see all of the different businesses we have, walk the street.”

This is not a social district event and it is not followed by a social district outing. No alcohol is allowed in the event. Kinne said they considered it.

“We didn’t want to change gears halfway through and bring in alcohol and food trucks and what have you,” Kinne said. “You know, midway through the afternoon, with so many kids around.”

Tickets are needed for the train, face painting and the inflatables but most everything else is free. Tickets are $1 each and a set of six tickets are $5.

“We’ve sort of gauged it so for $5 somebody can buy enough tickets for their child to do just about everything there is down here,” Kinne said.

Councilman Dave Rubello said he never expected the festival to go on this long at the first June Fest.

“The 9-Mack Merchants Association has always added to what was happening and more excitement, more music and more things for the families to do,” Rubello said. “Yeah, it’s become part of St. Clair Shores fiber.”

He’s looking forward to the event and it also reminds him of summer.

“Hats off to the merchants of Nine Mile and Mack,” Rubello said. “They’re keeping the place spinning down there. They’re keeping things interesting and this is just another event that has put its place in history and memories down there.”

Kinne has been an original organizer for the event for around 26 years. She said people who attend the event have a good time.

“They get to spend time in their community and have fun with it,” Kinne said.