Celebrate Summer in Metro-Detroit’s Backyard!
For many Metro-Detroit families, summertime means family fun on the lake — and at The War Memorial, that means SummerFest! Our annual summer fun series returns this year with family-friendly concerts on our lakefront lawn.
All SummerFest events are free and open to everyone from everywhere! Bring your lawn chair, blanket, or enjoy the festival from your boat. Concerts are rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor concerts will take place in the War Memorial Ballroom. While tickets are free, we do ask that you register with us at the link below.
UPDATE ON TONIGHT’S CONCERT
Due to today’s persistent rain, tonight’s concert will be held in the War Memorial Ballroom. Chairs will be provided. Please review the event details below – we look forward to seeing you this evening!
Thank you for registering for SummerFest! Rain or Shine, the show goes on, and our free concert series kicks off this Wednesday (July 10th) with a War Memorial Favorite, the Dave Bennett Band.
A few quick reminders about the show:
Timing: Doors open at 6:30pm, and the concert begins at 7:30pm
Entry Point: Please utilize the Fred Alger Center entrance, the large glass entrance located on the right-hand side of the building as you approach from the main drive.
Chairs: As the event will take place indoors, chairs will be provided. Please plan on leaving your chairs at home.
Food & Beverages: The War Memorial Americana menu features all your favorites – hamburgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken sandwiches! There will also be a Cash Bar. While you may bring your own food and snacks, we do ask that coolers are not brought into the venue. State law prohibits any outside alcoholic beverages on our campus.
Parking: Please note parking is on a first come first serve basis. Overflow parking has been secured at Grosse Pointe South High School. Once our lot has filled, War Memorial staffers will be stationed at the entrance to our parking lot with maps to the High School, approximately a 7-minute walk from the War Memorial.
VIP Ticket Holders: Check-in for VIP ticket holders will be just outside the War Memorial Ballroom. Make sure you check in to receive your drink ticket and wristband for access to the reserved seating area. Interested in an upgrade? A limited amount of VIP tickets will be available for sale at the door.
We understand that these changes may change your plans slightly. Still, please rest assured that we are committed to providing you with a memorable and enjoyable concert experience, regardless of the venue change. The Alger Center Ballroom offers an intimate and captivating atmosphere to enhance your enjoyment of the performances.
If you have any more questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our team at 313-881-7511 or ce@warmemorial.org. We’re here to help you in any way we can.
Dave Bennett doesn’t fit the mold.
On July 10th our concert series opens with a War Memorial favorite, the Dave Bennett Band! With his special blend of rockabilly and jazz it’s sure to be a night to remember. Bennett is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who performs everything from jazz and swing to rock and roll. As a jazz and pop clarinet player Bennett has performed all over North American at historic venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall. His 2018 Mack Avenue Records release "Blood Moon" reached No. 24 on the Billboard jazz charts.
Bennett is a clarinet virtuoso who plays electric guitar, piano, drums, and vocalizes. Saluting swing to rock, he covers music from the Swing Era to early Rockabilly and Country, to Elvis Presley and more. You won’t want to miss this!
Free and open to all — registration is requested
7:30pm on the lakefront lawn
Grounds open at 6:30pm
VIP Tickets Now Available
New this year! While SummerFest concerts are completely free to the public, you can support The War Memorial’s commitment to providing low-cost family-friendly programming by purchasing a VIP ticket! VIP tickets are only $40 each and include reserved seating areas on both our balcony and near the front of the stage, so you can leave your chairs at home. VIP area also includes a private cash bar and a ticket for a complimentary beverage. We appreciate your support!
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held in The Alger Center Ballroom.
Watch this space or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.
The War Memorial’s talented culinary team will serve up a taste of Americana, including juicy burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and other traditional summertime fare. A full bar, including water, a variety of sodas, beer, wine, and liquor, will be available to enhance your experience! You’re welcome to bring your own picnic, but by Michigan law, no outside alcoholic beverages may be brought to SummerFest.