LANSING, MI – Grammy award nominee Betty Joplin headlines the entertainment at the first annual Tri-County Summerfest slated to be held at the Adado Riverfront Park (by the City Market) on Saturday, August 21, 2004.

The 1-day event begins at 11 a.m. and ends at sundown.

For those of you out there who don’t know Betty Joplin . . .

Ms. Joplin is like a ‘blend of Aretha Franklin’s soul and spirituality, Nancy Wilson’s sultriness, and Dinah Washington’s sassiness’ as the All Music’s Guide puts it. Yet although Joplin is like all those people, her voice is her own and it is definitely unique.

Joplin has been nominated for a Grammy and has been recognized for her charming voice that just seems to mesmerize anybody who listens to it. She’s been all around the country and throughout Europe performing in clubs, concerts, and festivals. She’s even toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Other Tri-County Summerfest performers include: TOO SMOOTH FOR NOTES, the African Masquerade Dancers, Powerlight Band and Soul Content.

The whole day will be filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family, young, and old. There will be plenty of food and music too.

There will be so much fun that you won’t want to leave. There’s going to he cake walks as well as pie eating contests. There will also be a dunk tank and sack races. There are even going to be children’s games that are traditional to certain cultures. There’s going to be people up on the stage all day performing acts that are traditional to their culture. There will be plenty of vendors so you can buy artifacts, toys, jewelry, and /or clothing from different cultures. Some might be familiar to you but the point is to learn more about the cultures and ethnicities that you don’t know that much about.

So, if you are up to some serious entertainment, then make your way to the first annual TriCounty Summerfest on August the 21st.

Lots of efforts have gone into the all day festival and some of the groups that have agreed to host the event include: Black Child & Family Institute, Cristo Rey Community Center, the Mid-Michigan Asian Pacific American Association, Polish Federated Home, the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing, and the Hmong American Dumex Charity Organizations. If you are interested in selling things as a vendor or sell food or are just interested in the festival, you should drop by BCFI at 835 West Genesee St. or call 487-3775.