You know that people are having a good time at an outdoor event when they stick it out in a rainstorm.

And that’s what takes place when rain happens to fall during the annual, all-day African American Downtown Festival. This year's event takes place on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in the area around North Fourth Avenue and Ann Street in Ann Arbor.

“(Attendees) do not leave,” said AADF event coordinator Teesha Montague. “They do not leave. They may duck under one of the nearby stores’ awnings, or go into the stores for a while, but they do not leave. It’s amazing.”

This year marks AADF’s 18th year, and though there’s no overarching theme, there is something on offer for everyone: the music of Jake Lives Band and more; loads of children’s activities (including a puppet show, face painting, iPad gaming station, a bounce house, a photo booth, story time, health screenings and more); yoga for kids and adults; a “gospel blast” (with choirs, mime dancers, speakers and more); a salute to veterans and a community service award presentation; a dance performance courtesy of Fem Fatale Dance Studio; a scheduled visit from Martha Reeves; and a variety of vendors and merchants.

The festival’s location lies at the heart of what was, at the middle of the 20th century, Ann Arbor’s African American business district, and the late Lucille Porter—who founded the festival in 1996—wanted to commemorate and celebrate this aspect of the city’s cultural heritage with a splashy, fun annual event that would remind locals of the neighborhood’s history.

And while the festival might celebrate African Americans’ life, history and culture in Ann Arbor, AADF intends to—and always does—draw a broad range of people.

“You see people of all religions, all colors, all ages,” said Montague. “And I love to see that—all these different people coming together and just having a good time.”

At around 4 p.m. on the day of the festival, the African American Festival Committee will present Community Awards, which this year will recognize:

1. Robert and Adeline Thompson, DeLong’s Barbecue - Pioneers in establishing a long-time business in the Old Black Business District in Downtown Ann Arbor
2. Linnie Philpot, long time community, political and civil rights activist
3. Bonnie Billups, Peace Neighborhood Center director and leader in establishing safe and nurturing environments for community children
4. Pastor Maurice and Peggy Gordon, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Ann Arbor religious leaders who make major contributions supporting and working with our at-risk community youth and families
5. Dr. James P. Lee, local dentist and long time sponsor of the African American Festival
6. Rev. Harry Grayson, Pastor Messiah Temple Church, Ypsilanti, religious and community leader
7. Mike Henry, political and community leader
8. Karen Cross, education and community leader
9. Ann Arbor Mayor Hieftje, who promotes diversity in leadership in the Ann Arbor community
10. Dr. Lee and Lola Jones, local business and community leaders who are leaders in recording the local history of the African American Community through Another Ann Arbor
11. Eric and Lanice McGuire, A2 Fight Club /Boxing Gym owners who do so much with the community youth of Washtenaw County
12. Ann Arbor Concerned Citizens for Justice, community members who organized and came together to support and advocate for students who they feel have been wrongfully charged in Washtenaw County Justice System
13. Joyce Hunter, retired longtime public school educator and administrator and president, Board of the Washtenaw County African American Historical Museum
14. The Old Neighborhood Reunion Committee, a group that hosts a yearly picnic outing to bring people from the old neighborhoods together
15. Ivory and Sylvia Hood, devoted community and education leaders, Ivory was recently inducted into the EMU Hall of Fame for his services to the University
16. Fred and Norma McCuiston, long-time NAACP and community leaders
17. Pastor Roderick Green, New Hope Baptist Church, religious community leader and elected official
18. Nedra Lightfoot, religious and community leader
19. Mr. Tom Frye, eirector of the Parkridge Community Center and business and community leader who works everyday to save our children
20. Fred and Bettye McDonald, business and community leaders and mentors
21. Ronnie Peterson, Rolland Sizemore, Verna McDaniels and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, supporters of the African American Festival
22. Lamont and Patricia Manley, NAACP and community leaders
23. Helen Oliver, education and community leader and mentor
24. Hazelette Robinson, Washtenaw County Health Organization
25. Laurita Thomas, Associate VP of human resources at U-M
26. John Finn, community leader and mentor
27. Karen and her late husband Mr. Michael Harding - niece of AADF founder Lucille Hall-Porter, festival vendor and former kids zone sponsor who used to donate and cook the hot dogs provided to the children who attend the festival.

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.