HAYWARD, Wis. (Northern News Now) — Small businesses in one Wisconsin town saw some big crowds thanks to a new music festival.

Friday, hundreds of people made their way to Downtown Hayward to visit the first-ever Summer Music Jam Festival.

“We thought you know what, let’s do some music, open up the street, and have a Summer Jam,” said James Netz, the owner of James Netz Photography.

Also serving as the President of Hayward’s Business Improvement District, Netz dreamt up the idea of the festival in hopes of getting more people to visit Downtown.

Netz said his team saw a good opening for the event over the 4th of July weekend, as there were no events planned on Friday.

“Our mission statement is to market out all our small businesses that we have in the district,” Netz said.

The most recent winter tourism season in Hayward was particularly slow due to the lack of snow cancelling big events like the American Birkebeiner.

Netz said the Summer Jam Music Festival offered local businesses, like Tremblay, the opportunity to see more foot traffic during the summer tourism season.

“We’re busier than we normally would be,” said Chelsea Erickson, the manager of Tremblays.

Although Tremblays, a candy shop in Hayward, had steady business over the winter season, Erickson said getting more customers inside never hurts.

“We hope people come to Hayward,” Erikson said. “They enjoy the music fest and all the great shops and they come to get some candy.”

The Summer Jam Music Festival was free to the public.

The event was sponsored by local businesses and organizations in the area like Lynns Custom Meats and Catering and Haywards Lions Club.

Click here to download the Northern News Now app or our Northern News Now First Alert weather app.

Copyright 2024 Northern News Now. All rights reserved.

A Democrat Senate primary candidate is selling tickets to comedian Dave Chappelle’s show in Detroit this month to raise money for his underdog campaign against Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.

In an event advertised on fundraising platform ActBlue, actor Hill Harper’s campaign invited donors to a live show on July 11. 

The Democrat candidate described Chappelle as an “old friend” in a statement to the Detroit News. 

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BATTLEGROUND STATE DEMS AFTER BIDEN DEBATE DISASTER

A representative for Chappelle told Fox News Digital that the show was just like any of the comedian’s other planned shows and Harper’s campaign had purchased a number of tickets to resell for his election effort, with Chappelle’s approval. 

Harper’s campaign was contacted by Fox News Digital.

A poster for the event says it is paid for by “Harper for Michigan” and the event is set to be at St. Andrews Hall.

“We are thrilled to extend an exclusive invitation to you for an unforgettable evening with comedy icon Dave Chappelle! Join us for a live show in Detroit on Thursday July 11th. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the show starts at 7:30 PM,” the invitation reads. 

GOP SENATE CANDIDATE TIES OPPONENT TO BIDEN DEBATE: BOB CASEY KNEW

Dave Chappelle (Mike Coppola/File)

Guests can buy tickets for as much as $3,300 for “Gold Circle + VIP Reception,” which allows them to attend an event after the show with Harper. The least expensive tickets for the event cost $250 for balcony seating.

Cellphones are restricted at the performance, which is common for Chappelle’s shows.

Slotkin, considered the front-runner in the Michigan Democrat primary, is a current House member who previously flipped a Republican district in the swing state. With the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., the state’s Senate race is rated “Lean Democratic” by nonpartisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report.

CONGRESSIONAL DEMS BLAST RULING ON TRUMP IMMUNITY: ‘EXTREME RIGHT-WING SUPREME COURT’

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. (Getty Images/File)

The Senate primary elections in Michigan will be held on Aug. 6.

On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers, businessman Sandy Pensler and former Rep. Justin Amash are competing for the party’s nomination. Rogers appears to have a significant edge over his opponents with the support of former President Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

TRUMP ALLIES CELEBRATE BLOW TO ‘SENSELESS LAWFARE’ IN SUPREME COURT IMMUNITY DECISION

Former President Trump listens as Senate candidate and former Rep. Mike Rogers speaks at a campaign rally in Freeland, Michigan, on May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Michigan is expected to play a pivotal role in deciding both the presidential election and which party will control the Senate in 2025. The state’s significant Arab population has posed an issue for some Democrats already, including President Biden, as many have expressed frustration over his handling of the war between Israel and terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.

Harper has seized on Slotkin’s reluctance to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, previously claiming she wouldn’t do so because of “checks.” 

Chappelle has been vocal about the war in Gaza, reportedly calling it a “genocide” during a show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last month.

Slotkin’s campaign did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

(CBS DETROIT) — The Detroit Police Department is cracking down on crime connected to unpermitted parties across the city. 

“They’re happening on the east side, west side, downtown. They’re happening anywhere,” Chief Deputy Arnold Williams told CBS News Detroit.

Williams said the parties often stem from what he called “pull-up and park events,” where partygoers show up to a location and block streets to drift, drag race. He added they’re becoming more and more violent, as well. 

“When they throw these parties, they’re not following the regulations we have in the city,” Williams said. “Then somebody steps on someone’s shoe, somebody gets angry, then they pull a gun. And we can’t have that anymore in the city.”

Williams said they’re increasing the enforcement of parking rules. He went on to warn that if you violate the law, you can expect to be ticketed, towed, and potentially arrested. 

“We’re going to enforce parking, we’re going to enforce noise, we’re going to make sure no nuisance is taking place so that emergency vehicles can come up and down the street,” said.

DPD is also asking for the public’s help to curb this crime on Detroit streets. Williams said if you see anything suspicious don’t hesitate to call 911.

 “We’re not trying to stop people from having parties,” he said. “But we want them to do it safely and within regulations. And to make sure they’re not doing it by encroaching on anyone else’s rights to enjoy their property as well.” 

Williams said the department is simply trying to keep the city safe, not crack down on fun. 

He said if you want to throw a block party, you have to first contact the department and gather all proper permits.