DETROIT — Hip-hop, world music, Lebanese dishes and soul food, experience everything Comerica Cityfest 2008 has to offer as the FREE festival transforms the streets of Detroit’s historic New Center area from Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6, 2008.   Comerica Cityfest 2008 will serve up some of this area’s and the country’s most diverse selection of music, food and cultural attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Music greats new and old will headline the festival, including De La Soul, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic and Calexico.  New this year, Comerica Cityfest will hold Comerica Family Day starring the ultra teen pop sister duo Aly and AJ.  Additionally, Comerica Family Day will be a rip-roaring good time with loads of FREE family attractions.  Radio Disney will take over the New Center Park Stage with performances by Farmer John and his gaggle of animals, the School of Rock Music band, and Radio Disney karaoke.  Other activities and performances include the Miniature Motorway slot car race track, Grip-it Rock Climbing and Kevin Collin’s hands-on drum and dance demonstrations.

If you want to sample some of the area’s fine cuisine, visit the many restaurants including Motown Kabob, The Melting Pot of Troy and Lazybones Smokehouse, offering delicious dishes.  You can also get a tasty dessert from Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream or the Chocolate Gallery, among others. Tickets for food are sold on the festival site and are $10 for 16 tickets.

If your kids are no stranger to a half-pipe, enroll them in the AGA Motor City Am Jam extreme sports competition.  Children ages six years and older can test their skateboarding, in-line skating and BMX biking skills at this live, three day sanctioned competition sponsored by the Adrenaline Games Alliance and Modern Skate and Surf.  The Motor City Am Jam will take place Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6.  Contestants will be placed in beginner, intermediate and advanced categories and can register for $10 per contest at all Modern Skate and Surf stores and at the festival.

Once the kids have exhausted their energy, stop by the Detroit LISC Street Market to shop at the diverse collection of stores from all over Detroit.  Vendors such as jeweler Middle Kingdom, and a range of clothiers from the Elizabeth Collection to Pure Detroit will satisfy everyone’s shopping desires. 

Comerica Cityfest was founded in 1989 as a fundraiser for the New Center Council.  Proceeds from the event benefit the growth and maintenance of Detroit’s historic New Center.  The festival is generously sponsored by Comerica Bank, MotorCity Casino, Budweiser, WJR, Pure Detroit, HAP, Farbman Group, Henry Ford Health System, General Motors Corporation, Jones Lang LaSalle, Detroit LISC, The Skillman Foundation, Hotel St. Regis, Radio Disney, Ashby Sterling’s Ice Cream and FOX2.

Festival hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.  For additional information about Comerica Cityfest, please visit www.comericacityfest.com or call 313.872.0188.