The 3rd Annual Buy Michigan Now Festival, hosted by downtown Northville, will have its own interactive mobile app this year. The technology will allow festival goers to navigate more easily through the 3-day festival, to be held August 5-7. The app, created by MouseTrap Group, LLC, of Royal Oak, will provide guests with a virtual walking map of vendors and attractions, dining and shopping in the immediate area and an up-to-date schedule of the weekend's events. It also has a check-in feature so attendees can participate in merchant-sponsored contests. With the app, festival goers can get text reminders when their favorite band is playing or a particular event is starting. It also connects directly to the Buy Michigan Now Facebook and Twitter pages. And, it's green! The technology eliminates the need for paper flyers.

The family-friendly Buy Michigan Now Festival is free and its goal is to focus attention on locally-made products and help Michigan-based businesses grow. Festival hours are as follows:

Friday, August 5: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, August 6: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday, August 7: 12-5 p.m.

For a full list of weekend events and participating vendors, check out www.buymichigannowfest.com.