More than 10,000 upbeat festival-goers are expected to kick up their feet Saturday, August 7, for Amherst’s seventh-annual Amherst’s Dancing on Main Street.

The city’s music-and-food festival pairs the cool sounds of local bands with the aromas of hot, appetizing fare from the area’s finest restaurants. Held from 3 p.m. to midnight, the free event takes over downtown Amherst — city streets close to make room for the party. Many Amherst eateries set up outdoor tables and offer food and drink specials. Some popular Amherst restaurants include Angelo’s Pizza, Church Street Bar & Grille, Hot Dog Heaven, Perk Avenue Coffee Shop, Ziggy’s Sports Bar and Grill and Quesadillas Mexican Restaurant. Beer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade and water will also be oren sale during the event.
 
The main stage, which will be the backdrop for local bands, will be at the intersection of Park Avenue and Church Street. Past performers have included the Naked Monkeys, the Roadhouse Band, Men of Steele, Dan Swift and Friends and the Tim Blake Band. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit down, relax and enjoy the music. 

Main Street Amherst, the nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of the city’s downtown, partners with many of the city’s restaurants and shops to extend store hours into the evening. Local taverns also offer drink specials throughout the night.

The Dancing on Main Street festival has experienced tremendous growth in attendance over the years, making it one of the premier community celebrations in Lorain County.

Admission to the event is free, and parking is available at the public lots off Tenney Avenue. On-street parking is also available on Tenney Avenue, Cleveland Avenue and South Main Street.