Celebrating its 30th year, Canton’s annual Liberty Fest returns to Heritage Park June 15-17, 2023, with plenty of family-friendly activities, exciting carnival rides, thrilling Midway games, two stages jam-packed with live entertainment, a popular marketplace, festival food, and Beer Garden, as well as its Annual Liberty Run, a special Juneteenth Community Celebration, Friday night fireworks, and much more for all ages to enjoy.
This year’s summer tradition will take place on Thursday, June 15, from 1 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday, June 16, from 1 p.m. – 11 p.m., and Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. in Canton's beautiful Heritage Park, located adjacent to the Canton Administration Building, located at 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188. Major sponsors for this annual community event, include: BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Goddard School of Canton, National Heritage Academies - Canton Charter Academy, and the U. S Army.
NEW THIS YEAR! Canton Liberty Fest will be launching its new mobile app for Apple and Android users prior to the event. Here festival-goers will be able to access everything about the event, including entertainment schedules and performer information, Carnival Zone information on amusement rides and Midway games, Liberty Run details, and festival food and drink information. Users will also receive news and updates during the three-day festival.
Area residents are invited to come and enjoy our exciting lineup of carnival rides, games, and special attractions. If carnival rides and games are your thing, then we’ve got just what you need in the Family Zone. Purchase a single-day wristband in advance and save! Wristbands allow all-access for one day only onto all the exciting carnival rides. Discounted single-day wristbands are now available for $30 and can be used for any full day if purchased at www.cantonlibertyfest.com before Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 9 a.m. Don’t forget, we have Mega Bands that are good for unlimited rides for all three days for just $75 that can ONLY be purchased online by June 15, at 9 a.m. Online sales require a $1.99 per transaction fee. Wristbands will be available for purchase on-site (cash only) as follows: Thursday and Friday for $30 and Saturday for $35. All sales are final. For more information, call 734/394-5360. As always, parking and admission to festival grounds are free!
Special sensory hours will be held on Thursday, June 15, from 1-3 p.m., where carnival rides and midway games, lights, and music will be turned off for festival-goers who are sensitive to large crowds and certain stimuli.
Satisfy your taste buds throughout the festival, as participating concession stands and gourmet food trucks will present signature dishes, refreshing beverages, and delicious snacks. A special area of food trucks will be located near the Amphitheater, with a tentative line-up that includes: Famous Hamburger; Impasto; Little Caesar’s Pizza Truck; Keaiks Food Truck, Little Lou’s Hot Chicken; Smokehouse 52 BBQ; Truckin Waffles, and more. Food trucks will be available on Thursday, June 15, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, June 16, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, June 17, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year’s participating food concessions include: Carvel Ice Cream; Different Twist; Hazel Coffee Co.; Kona Ice; J & J Concessions; Meltdown Creamery and more.
On all three days of Liberty Fest, the Partnership for the Arts and Humanities will be hosting a Beer Garden, which is sponsored by West Side Beer Distributing, on Thursday: 4-10 p.m., Friday: 4-10 p.m., and Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Come cool off with a cold one, near the Amphitheater, where a selection of craft beers, domestic beers, and seltzers will be available. The Canton Rotary Club and the Plymouth-Canton Optimist Club will also be providing volunteer support in this popular area. Festival-goers must be 21 years to purchase these adult beverages.
Thursday, June 15, activities and entertainment on the Canton LIVE Stage include a performance by Merge Band, who will perform top Rock and Roll hits from the ‘50s at 5 p.m. Starting at 7 p.m., Sonic Freeway, will take the stage playing popular covers that will make you want to dance. A Zumba Party in the Park will also be held at the Canton LIVE Stage from 9-10 p.m. We’ll provide the music and instructors – just come ready to move. Participants are asked to bring a water bottle to keep hydrated during this free event.
Thursday’s Amphitheater Stage highlights include performances by Looking Back, Michigan’s #1 Bob Seger Tribute Band, starting at 6 p.m., and Hotel Bodhisattva, who will perform all your Yacht Rock favorites starting at 8 p.m.
Friday's Canton LIVE! Stage highlights include School of Rock performing from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Staring at 6 p.m. Bugs Beddow and The Good Stuff will get the audience dancing with the best of Rock and Soul from the last five decades. Then at 8 p.m., Bernadette Kathryn & the Lonely Days Band will take the stage performing Nashville sounds inspired by Motor City Rock.
Friday Amphitheater Stage entertainment will feature Atomic Radio, who will entertain audience members with hits from the ‘80s from 5:30-7:00 p.m.; and Power of Love, a popular Huey Lewis & the News tribute band, will perform starting at 8 p.m.
Capping off the evening’s festivities, Canton’s highly-anticipated Liberty Fest’s fireworks display will only be held on Friday, June 17, just after dark, allowing for a Saturday night rain date, if necessary. Starting as early as 6 p.m. on Friday, June 16, Veterans Way, Heritage Drive, and Summit Parkway near Heritage Park will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Saturday highlights include the Canton Lions Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the North Pavilions. Chris Cakes of Michigan returns to flip pancakes high onto plates for those brave enough to catch them. Stop by for a tasty breakfast and make this a Liberty Fest tradition; while supplies last. In addition, a variety of fun characters will also be on hand adding to all of the fun from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., including Batman and Rapunzel, along with DJ Zaneta.
Canton Leisure Services is again joining forces with Running Fit to host the 9th Annual Liberty Run, including 5K, 10K, and One Mile events. Participants are encouraged to register at www.cantonlibertyrun.com and run, walk, or stroll in these events. Participants will also receive finisher medals, as well as a race T-Shirt. Plus, running-theme awards will be handed out to the best “Red, White, and Blue” running outfit.
Additional Saturday Canton LIVE! entertainment highlights, include: The International Festival's cultural performances and displays will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will run most of the day. Presented by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage, this special showcase will feature cultures from around the world, such as: Indian, Chinese, Polynesian, Mongolian, Japanese, and more! Festival-goers are in for a real treat when the Motor City Hypnotist performs two shows from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Canton LIVE Stage.
Saturday Amphitheater Stage highlights include: a special Juneteenth Community Celebration. Activities in the Juneteenth Kids Korner will include an African Bead and Flag Craft and a Reading Corner, featuring children’s books by African American authors. In addition, festival-goers can experience the Black History 101 Mobile Museum from 1- 6 p.m., as well as participate in a 2.5 Block Walk at 2:30 p.m., to commemorate the 2.5 years Texas slaves waited for their freedom. The stage program is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., which will be led by Mistress of Ceremonies Pamela Osborne, a Canton native and WDIV-Channel 4 anchor/reporter, and will feature presentations by Jack and Jill of America Incorporated – Ypsilanti, MI Chapter. Additional scheduled Juneteenth Celebration performances include: Gospel music at 4 p.m.; Stan Barnes and Friends Band starting at 5:30 p.m.; a “Learn How to Hustle” demonstration from 7-8 p.m.; and a special performance by C3 and the Third Generation Band that will close out the night from 8-10 p.m.
Other Festival highlights include: Canton Club 55+’s annual Liberty Fest Picnic for seniors on Thursday, June 15 from 4-7 p.m. inside the Summit on the Pa. Participants will enjoy a picnic-style meal, plus transportation to the Concert in the Park - all for just $15 for Canton Residents or $17 for Non-Residents. BINGO will also be included with some great prizes. For details and to register, call 734/394-5485. Canton Club 55+ will also be holding its annual Liberty Fest Treasure Sale on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Stop by this sale that will benefit the Canton Senior Services program to find new-to-you treasures at some great bargains.
Hydration and misting stations will be available throughout the park giving festival-goers a chance to cool off. Please consider bringing a refillable water bottle. Walk on the Wild Side, featuring Oasis Animals all day Friday and Saturday, will give all ages the chance to get up close and personal with some barnyard and exotic animals. KultureCity sensory-friendly tents will also be available on the north and south side of Heritage Park which will be a safe space for those with sensory challenges in which to rest, that will also serve as changing or feeding tents, with furniture sponsored by IKEA.
Be sure to check out merchandise from local artisans, crafters, businesses, and vendors around the large pond at our Liberty Fest Marketplace on Friday from 4 p.m. to dusk and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to dusk. Liberty Fest’s returning favorites include: the Scholastic Book Fair; LEGO Station provided by MichLUG (Michigan LEGO Users Group); and more! In addition, Canton Lions will be offering simple, free children’s eye screenings during the festival, as part of their Lions KidSight USA which is a nationwide program.
Event organizers strongly discourage visitors from bringing pets onto festival grounds. However, dogs that attend the festival must remain on a leash, be under their owner’s control, and be on their best behavior at all times. Festival-goers are reminded that all bikes must be parked in a bike corral. In addition, a convenient Uber, Lyft, or parent drop-off/pick-off spot has been designated on Civic Center Boulevard in front of the Canton Public Library’s main parking lot. For more information, visit www.cantonlibertyfest.com or call 734/394-5360.