Arts, Beats & Eats sets a charity record for a second year: $403,689 for 60-plus groups, $117,000 of it in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Arts, Beats & Eats, the Labor Day weekend festival that fills downtown Royal Oak every September, will hand out a record $403,689.97 to more than 60 charities and community organizations, its organizers announced, the second year in a row the festival has broken its own charity record.

More than $117,000 of that is going to Royal Oak-based charities, C&G Newspapers reported. Organizers announced the totals at an Oct. 14 press conference.

Where the money came from. Producer Jon Witz said most of it was raised during the four-day festival, held Sept. 4-7, through gate admission fees, beverage proceeds and festival-sponsored community programs, according to C&G. He credited good weather and strong attendance. “And to have the resources and partnership and blessing of good weather that has led to the attendance and the good outcome, it just makes all the work more worthwhile,” Witz said.

How it breaks down. According to the figures reported by C&G:

• 12 core charities share $87,000.
• 21 participating groups share $177,525.24.
• Cultural and entertainment organizations receive $22,450.
• More than two dozen other organizations and community groups share $116,714.73.

One of the recipients, the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, is getting $13,000. The clubs serve children ages 6 to 18 with after-school programs, tutoring, sports, arts, career development and scholarships. President and CEO Brett Tillander told C&G the gift matters beyond the dollars: two organizations reached out after the press conference wanting to learn more about the clubs. “Support like what flows through Arts, Beats & Eats to the club is critically important,” he said.

The bigger picture. The festival, now presented by the Michigan Lottery, started in downtown Pontiac in 1998 and moved to Royal Oak in 2010. That first Royal Oak year it drew more than 400,000 people over four days and raised more than $350,000 for local charities, according to the festival’s own history page. This year’s total tops that by roughly $50,000, and the festival says it has now raised about $8.5 million for community groups over its 29-year history.

What it means for Royal Oak. By our math, the Royal Oak share is a bit under 30% of this year’s total, money that goes from a privately produced festival, not the city budget, to local nonprofits. For residents who put up with closed streets and crowds every Labor Day weekend, that share is part of the return. Local groups interested in taking part next year can reach the festival through its website, artsbeatseats.com.

Sources:
C&G Newspapers, “Arts, Beats & Eats tops $403,000 in fundraising this year,” Oct. 19, 2026 (total, Oct. 14 announcement, Royal Oak share, breakdown, Witz and Tillander quotes, festival dates, money sources), https://www.candgnews.com/articles/features-news/arts-beats-eats-tops-403000-in-fundraising-this-year/
Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats, “Overview” (founding in Pontiac, 2010 move and results), https://artsbeatseats.com/overview
Photo: U.S. National Archives, “Woodward Avenue (M-1) - Automotive Heritage Trail - Arts, Beats and Eats,” NARA 7722922, Wikimedia Commons, public domain, cropped and color-adjusted, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodward_Avenue_(M-1)_-_Automotive_Heritage_Trail_-_Arts,_Beats_and_Eats_-_NARA_-_7722922.jpg

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Tags: Royal Oak · Arts, Beats & Eats · Charity · Nonprofits · Festivals · Downtown Royal Oak