The Kent Heritage Festival continues to put the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror.
The 29th annual Heritage Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 6 in downtown Kent, and the event “has grown immensely this year,” said Dennis Campbell, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.
“[It’s] getting closer to its former size, with a focus on small businesses and family activities after being smaller in scope and size over the past few years due to the pandemic. However, we are increasing the footprint of the festival this year and featuring a larger number of vendors, exhibitors and foodies, with a focus on our local community and businesses invested in Kent.”
This year’s festival will include: a classic car show; live music and entertainment on two stages; a children’s play and activities area, which will include Kent police and fire patrol cars and fire trucks to explore, Safety Town, games and hands-on fun; and 20 food stations, including local food trucks representing a variety of Kent businesses such as Brooks Homestyle BBQ, GRAZERS, Mamacita’s, Stoddard’s Frozen Custard, and Roll Call Burgers and Fries. Fair food will also be available, featuring funnel cakes and elephant ears, pierogies and corn dogs.
But that’s not all:
– Nearly 70 information and vendor booths will be on display featuring nonprofits and artisans selling their custom, handmade pieces.
– The Kent Jaycees’ annual Ducks Down the River race will take place at 6 p.m. with help from the Kent Fire Department.
– Downtown Kent restaurants, the Haymaker Farmers’ Market, breweries, pubs, coffee shops, art galleries, retail shops, DORA and more will be open and ready to welcome the thousands of people enjoying the festival.
– PBS will join the fun with Daniel the Tiger and a story time at 1:45 p.m. at Hometown Bank Plaza.
– And fireworks will cap the festivities at nightfall.
“We are excited to be carrying on the tradition of the Kent Heritage Festival that has been such a big part of bringing our community together in fun and fellowship over the July 4th holiday weekend,” Campbell said.
Downtown streets will be closed to vehicular traffic during the festival, which is free and open to the public.
The concert schedule and complete list of food vendors, artisans, nonprofits and informational booths can be found at https://www.kentbiz.com/heritagefestival.
Tom Hardesty is a Portager sports columnist. He was formerly assistant sports editor at the Record-Courier and author of the book Glimpses of Heaven.