The Ypsilanti Crossroads Summer Music Festival is back and set to launch its sixth season, Friday nights July 8-Aug. 19 in downtown Ypsilanti.

Sponsored by the Downtown Association of Ypsilanti, the free event also offers food, artists, jewelers, retailers and family activities.

In previous years, the festival had started in June; however, the demise of downtown music venues such as major supporter Savoy/Pub 13 led to the decision to scale back the dates in order to make the event more financially viable, explained Frank L. Wright, music director.

Despite running fewer days, the festival will offer nearly as many musical acts as it did last year, said Wright.

“As far as the number of musical artists we’re presenting, we’re really not that much lower than we were last year, even with the reduced schedule. … I counted up everybody from last year and we had 30 people. I counted up the people this year and we’ve got 26,” he said.

A Folk/Roots Fest on July 15 will be held in conjunction with the Ypsilanti District Library, which will present a second live stage at the downtown Ypsilanti Library Fountain Plaza. After the official Crossroads stages close at 10 p.m., other area businesses, including the Corner Brewery, Frenchie’s and Woodruff’s, will present roots-folk type of music.

“There was tremendous support from the Ypsilanti District Library and the YCVB. I can’t thank Donna (DeButts, YDL Director of Community Relations), Joy (Cichewicz, YDL Downtown Branch Manager) and Debbie (Locke-Daniel, Executive Director, Ypsilanti Convention & Visitor's Bureau) enough,” Wright said of last year's Folk/Roots Fest.

Crossroads' main stage will remain in the same Washington Street location as before, in front of Beezy’s Cafe. And if it rains? The music will continue indoors at the nearby Tap Room, he said.

The space for the marketplace—face-painting, homemade jewelry, clothing lines and food—has been expanded, Wright said. “We’ll be having a lot more people displaying this year.”

Besides the music, a part of the goal for Crossroads is to promote downtown and the businesses downtown, he added.

The full schedule: July 8: The Martindales - Home Town Party (6 p.m.). With Shelter Dogs, As The Crow Flys, Kinks & the Krew. July 15: Folk/Roots Fest - Folk / Roots / Americana (6 p.m.). Washington Street Stage: Billy Brandt & Sarana VerLin, The Potter’s Field, Frank Allison, Annie & Rod Capps, Jo Serrapere & John Devine. Library stage: Eric Moore, Michael Lipson and Jesse Passage. July 22: Julianne & the Rogues - Country (7 p.m.). With GW Staton & Friends. July 29: NoteWorthy - R&B/Soul/Gospel (7 p.m.). With Eddie Hughes. Aug. 5: Harper & Midwest Kind - Blues/International ( 6 p.m.). With Shari Kane & Dave Steele, John Latini. Aug. 12: George Bedard/Steve Nardella -A2/Ypsi Legends (7 p.m.). Aug. 19: John E. Lawrence - Jazz/World (6 p.m.). With WCC Jazz Youth Ensemble and Jungle w/ Steven Springer/Muruga/Dave Sharp.