For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

4th Annual Blues, Brews, & Barbecue Raises Record Funds for Local Non-Profits

Westland, MI - Westland's 4th annual All-American Blues, Brews & Barbecue was one for the record books.

This year, Mayor William R. Wild is pleased to announce that the event reached an all time record, raising more than $30,000 for 11 local non-profit organizations, and over $88,000 to date in the past four years.

The event also attracted thousands of attendees from Westland and surrounding communities, as well as a record number of sponsors.

"I want to thank all of our volunteers, the participating restaurants, our sponsors and the performers for another remarkable event," said Mayor Wild. "This annual event has become a staple for Westland families, friends, foodies and music fans alike."

The 11 non-profits who will receive part of the $30,000 of donations back from the event include: the Westland Chamber of Commerce, Goodfellows, Lions Club, the Westland Citivans, Rotary, The Westland Community Foundation, Jaycees, Grange, the Westland Historic Commission, Warm Hearts, and The Fire Fighters Public Awareness Committee.

To receive the funds, these local organizations provided the volunteer manpower to make this year's event a great success. The volunteers these groups provided served as greeters, grounds crew, and ID checkers, among a variety of other roles in an effort to make the event cost neutral to the city.

It was a year of some firsts at the Blues, Brews, and Barbecue festival, with a new location and a new headlining band in The Soul Men - Blues Brothers Tribute Band, who kicked-off the festival's opening night with a bang. And the new Westland Farmers & Artisans Marketplace in Central City Park was transformed into the festival grounds for the weekend.

Attendees were treated to music from some of the area's best musicians, mouthwatering barbecue from some favorite local establishments, and a variety of craft microbrews that were provided by Westland's own Ashley's Beer & Grill.

And now the countdown begins for next year's event!

The local non-profits with Mayor William R. Wild after receiving their donations from this year's Blue, Brews, & Barbecue.

Local bands rocked out to record-attendance at this year's festival.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

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The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".