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Arts, Beats & Eats Lineup, Food Vendors Revealed

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) It's become an end-of the summer metro Detroit tradition, a place to celebrate the best of the region's array of music, food and performers.

If summer has to come to an end, it might as well go out with a bang.

Returning to downtown Royal Oak from Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats will entertain thousands of visitors from across the region. If history is any indication, the streets will be packed sidewalk to sidewalk.

Located again this year between Main and Center streets at 7th Street, performers will include Jena Irene, this year's "American Idol" runner-up; Jeff Gutt, 2013 runner-up on "The X Factor"; and Motown legends The Spinners. Also scheduled are classic rockers Night Ranger ("Sister Christian"), .38 Special ("Hold On Loosely") and Loverboy ("Working for the Weekend"), along with Village People ("Y.M.C.A."), Third Eye Blind ("Semi-Charmed Life) and Theory of a Deadman ("Bad Girlfriend").

Where's the country music, you ask? It's represented by Randy Houser ("How Country Feels") along with up-and-coming hit-makers Maddie & Tae ("Girl in a Country Song") and John King ("Tonight Tonight"). Detroit-area favorites Stewart Francke, The Gasoline Gypsies and 50 Amp Fuse will also be performing on the stage.

Of course, all that music will work up an appetite. And this year's Arts and Beats wouldn't be nearly as cool without the Eats.

The lineup includes more than 50 metro Detroit area restaurants, including, organizers say, "many upscale choices rarely featured at outdoor festivals." Newcomer Morton's The Steakhouse brings its acclaimed culinary creations to those looking for high-end fare. Also making a debut this year is Andiamo Pizza Pie, featuring pizza and panini, and Famous Dave's, with its barbecue. Fresh and fine seafood fare will be available from Mitchell's Fish Market, the popular filet mignon sliders from Prime 29 Steakhouse will be there, as will fine dining options from Soaring Eagle Cuisine Machine.

Looking for something a little lighter? Want to keep your bikini body into fall? Priority Health will offer its "Healthy Options," a new program providing festival guests color-coded food designations at participating vendors.

Designations include: low-carb, low-fat, gluten free, sugar free, and vegan. Menu boards and the festival app will include these healthy options. Participants of this program include Lockhart's BBQ offering gluten free options, Peking House offering vegan dishes, and The Almond Hut with gluten free and vegan choices.

Other new restaurants scheduled to participate include bozii, Detroit Bubble Tea Company, Elvis Catering & Pizza, Shuck-N-Ladder, Star Lanes Restaurant & Sports Bar, Tania's Pizza and more.

As for the "Arts," festival goers have the opportunity to explore the works of more than 135 artists. There's also a Kids Zone, with interactive programming throughout the four days of the festival.

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