It’s taco time again in Royal Oak.
The fifth annual Royal Oak Taco Fest is taking up the city’s streets through Sunday, July 5, with food — not all Mexican — music and other entertainment populating the area around Centennial Commons and the Royal Oak City Complex east of Main Street between 11 Mile Road and Fourth Street.
Heat wave pushes Taco Fest opening to Friday
The event features more than 50 food vendors, including restaurants, taco trucks and taquerias, with a variety of newcomers on the roster. There are also more than 100 acts playing on four stages, including local notables such as Julian Joel, Roots Vibration, SHU, Alise King, Joe Jaber and the Last Divide, the Reefermen and others, as well as strolling mariachi troupes and buskers.
The Creative Arts Studio Kids Stage will host magicians, jugglers and more. There will be daily taco-eating contests on the Soaring Eagle Stage. Lucha Libre Wresting matches will be held outside the Royal Oak Farmers Market, and mechanical bull riding will be available throughout the weekend.
The Royal Oak Historical Society, meanwhile, is presenting a four-act celebration of America’s 250th anniversary at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5, with reenactors depicting George and Martha Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin, and a community reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Admission at the gate is $12, with reduced prices for youths under 11 and active military personnel. 248-851-7550 or RoyalOakTacoFest.com for schedules, hours and other information.
The fifth annual Royal Oak Taco Fest runs through July 5. Admission at the gate is $12. (Photo courtesy of Royal Oak Taco Fest)