From ICP to the Community, Ferndale's 'Biggest Backyard Party' Deemed Another Success

Despite the success of the first three DIY Street Fairs, it was the fourth one this past weekend in which said the crew finally had their feet under them.

"There's been a learning curve," said Husband, who is also the general manager of . "But it's always awesome."

, brought in more than 100 vendors, more than 50 live acts, several local food vendors and poured more than 35 Michigan-made craft beers and was seemingly larger than last year's, organizers said.

"We don't have a clicker to track attendees, but visually, it was bigger (than last year)," said co-organizer Krista Johnston. "Based on beer tent sales so far, food vendor sales, preliminarily, everything is up from last year."

Johnston and her husband, Chris, own the Emory, and the and started the DIY Street Fair four years ago.

Johnston said that during the first three years, there was an education process for the event, explaining what it is and what it was trying to do and bring to Ferndale.

"I feel people now know what it is, what to experience, that they are going to have a good time," she said.

Husband and Johnston said they don't have any intention of increasing the footprint of the festival but will continue to make it better.

"We've found the right size and have moved into the right parts," Husband said.

"We will continually strive to make it better, bring in new and fresh acts and vendors," Johnston added.

One of the biggest differences that the organizers made this year was shutting down the Woodward entrance of the event.

"The stage was bigger this year, and it was hazardous to enter from Woodward," Johnston said.

Eventgoers were able to enter through multiple locations behind the junction of East Troy and Woodward. "It worked out really well," Johnston said.

The DIY Street Fair also opened up the marketplace Friday night, which organizers, anecdotally, felt increased business for the vendors.

Each year, the DIY Street Fair likes to bring in a surprise live act or twist to the stage. One year, local rock 'n' roll band played on the roof of the Emory; and another year, the Barrettes, a ladies barbershop quartet, performed in the middle of the audience right before Electric Six was set to go on.

This year, during the reunion show of , which had been separated for nearly 15 years, with the group.

Organizers kept the secret under wraps until the Friday night show.

"Really, ICP was fun and cool and really a pleasant surprise for me for the weekend," Husband said.

Johnston and Husband both said the eighth-grade all-girl Rochester Hills band Electric Graffiti was a high point.

"That was the highlight for me, it was really special to see them up there," Johnston said. "And they were good!"

To put on a three-day bash such as the DIY Street Fair is no easy task, but Johnston said each year, the effort gets smoother. "I was actually able to shop the marketplace this year," she said. "It was the first year I was able to do that."

Johnston calls the DIY Street Fair Ferndale's biggest backyard party where the entire community is invited.

"I was happy to see the community out there, having a good time," she said. "And fortunately, we had great weather!"

To view Ferndale Patch's coverage of the event, click .