Heritage Days 2025 drew strong crowds and boosted revenue, reinforcing Macomb’s growing reputation as a regional destination for music and food festivals.
“We had probably one of the most successful Heritage Days in several years, both in vendor feedback and our bottom line,” said Jock Headblade, executive director of the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Headblade said the festival’s rising popularity reflects a deliberate shift toward creating an event that locals and visitors want — a vibrant music and food experience that offers a refreshing alternative to big-city life.
“We’ve turned Heritage Days into the kind of festival people have been asking for,” Headblade said. “We’re moving firmly into a music and food festival.”
Key to this year’s success were upgrades to the festival’s amenities, including an expanded beer garden and improvements to the main stage. The stage was repositioned to face Chandler Park, placing the beer garden and audience tents directly in front of performers.
“That means better sightlines for the audience — they’re not looking down the street,” Headblade said. “All of these changes have improved the festival’s image and helped build our reputation through word of mouth.”
Over the past eight years, Heritage Days has developed a reputation for quality musical acts. While the performers may not be nationally known, attendees have come to trust that every show is worth seeing.
“People are staying longer and watching multiple acts instead of just one,” Headblade said. “That’s what we’re seeing — more people in the park, staying throughout the evening.”
