Twelve local chefs cooking food from local farms; 12 Michigan beer and wine vendors; four local bands, 35 local food and artisan vendors; 50 heirloom tomato varieties for tasting. The fourth annual Homegrown Festival is shaping up to be a no-holds barred celebration of all things local.

Taking place Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 from 6-11 p.m. at the Farmers Market pavilion at 315 Detroit St. in Ann Arbor, the Homegrown Festival is a grassroots concern, organized and staffed entirely by volunteers. Last year's festival drew more than 6,000 attendees.

From the organization's press release: "Although Washtenaw County spends over $1 billion dollars per year on its food, less than 1 percent of that food is grown within the county. Keeping food dollars circulating in Washtenaw County would not only help to create more farms and stimulate the local economy, it would also support community food security. Community food security is defined in part as the ability of our region to be self-sufficient in producing enough to feed our population, and also as the ability to ensure that everyone has sufficient nutritious food."

Entrance to the the Homegrown Festival is free, and food and drink is available for purchase. More information can be found on the Homegrown Festival website.