This Michigan main street transforms into Stars Hollow in September

BRIGHTON — Downtown Brighton is preparing to transform into a scene straight out of “Gilmore Girls.”

The popular television series, which follows the lives of mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore and other members of the small town in which they live, has attracted millions of viewers since it first aired in the early 2000s.

Thousands of these fans will flock to Brighton this September for a themed festival that will transform Main Street into Stars Hollow.

Destination Stars Hollow: A Gilmore Fan Celebration will take place on Saturday, September 21st from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the event, over 30 local businesses will take on the identities of companies or characters featured in the television series.

Community members Kathleen London and Laura Boote are responsible for organising the festival. Having met at an event in London last year, they hope to bring the ‘small town feel’ to Brighton.

“Whether you connect the dots or not, every high street has the potential to be your own Stars Hollow,” said London, who owns makeup and cosmetics store London Beauty.

London and Boote had originally hoped to attract 500 fans to the festival. Two weeks after the invitation was announced, there were already more than ten times as many confirmations – and another 25,000 interested people.

The event has already generated excitement among businesses in the community. While the festivities include a variety of sights and activities – including a town troubadour, knitting marathon, lookalike competition, trivia games and a town hall meeting – the main attraction is Brighton itself. Destinations include Luke’s Diner and the Dragonfly Inn, and visitors receive souvenir passes to document the places they visit.

London and Boats are also working to involve local restaurants after people asked online about Friday Night Dinners.

“The reason we’re making (the celebration) free … is mainly because we want people to shop,” London said. “That’s the goal. Come and support your local economy.”

Subscribe to: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

The past few years have not been easy for Brighton’s businesses. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the year-long rebuilding of Main Street, downtown retailers and restaurants have seen a significant decline in civic engagement. Even now, many are still struggling.

“Brick-and-mortar retail hasn’t recovered like everyone hoped,” London said. “You have to support it like it’s Stars Hollow. … It’s such a wonderful part of what downtowns are all about.”

Interested parties can register their participation via Eventbrite.

— Ari Hickman is a sophomore at Brighton High School and a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the editor at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brighton to transform into Stars Hollow in September