Alongside our title sponsor, Gentex Corporation, Downtown Holland is pleased to be celebrating 20 years of the Street Performer Series this summer! To mark the occasion, Downtown Holland will be hosting a special 20th anniversary party in Downtown Holland during the regularly scheduled Series on Thursday, July 25 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. In addition to enjoying the sights and sounds of 25 different performing artists and groups that evening, the community can enjoy discounts, prizes, giveaways, and more. The 2024 Street Performer Series is proudly sponsored by Gentex, with additional support provided by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
The Street Performer Series first launched in 2005 as a way of highlighting the City’s newly passed Street Performer ordinance, which allows performing artists to purchase a permit from the City’s Downtown Development Authority to busk for tips on the sidewalks of Downtown Holland. The ordinance was passed to draw special attention to Downtown Holland as an attractive busking location for performing artists to establish Downtown Holland as a unique and vibrant destination for both residents and visitors. The first year of the Thursday night Street Performer Series featured around ten participating artists performing in just five locations along 8th Street in Downtown Holland. The population of the Series continued to build from that time, making it Downtown Holland’s signature event and a highlight of the summer for locals and tourists alike. Today, the Series features nearly 100 different artists who perform on a rotating basis in 25 different locations throughout Downtown Holland. The opening of Downtown Holland’s Social District in 2021 has further contributed to the event’s attraction.
“I’ve been involved with the planning of the Street Performer Series for the past 15 years and every summer I continue to be amazed at the event’s growing popularity,” said Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare. “Performing artists from across West Michigan continue to embrace the event each year, along with our shops and restaurants, the local community, and summer visitors. And we have been truly fortunate to have the generous support of our title sponsor Gentex Corporation and amazing partnerships along the way with the Holland Area Arts Council, Latins Americans United for Progress, and so many others. We are truly grateful to be celebrating 20 years of fun this summer!”
To celebrate 20 years of the Gentex Street Performer Series on Thursday, July 25, participating Downtown Holland businesses will be offering select 20% off discounts all day long. From 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, event attendees can try their hand at playing Plinko or spin the Prize Wheel to win free giveaways from Downtown Holland while supplies last. Attendees can also enter to win one of twenty $20 gift cards to some of Downtown Holland’s most popular shops and restaurants and pose for photographs in front of the custom balloon wall. Downtown Holland will also be releasing a featured video, produced by the City of Holland, on Facebook that morning to mark the special occasion.
