The 22nd annual Kent Heritage Fest is set to take over Downtown Kent Saturday.

The Kent Heritage Fest — the largest annual family-friendly event held in Downtown Kent — begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning and lasts until 11 p.m. The event features vendors, live entertainment and food throughout the entire day.

New to the festival this year is the expansion of the children’s section, which will now feature a rock wall, bouncy house, dunk tank and carnival-style games.

Lori Wemhoff, chair of the Kent Heritage Fest, said the event isn’t a money-maker, but it is a community staple.

“People come from all over to experience it,” Wemhoff said. “We see about 25,000 people come through.”

This year, the festival will sprawl through all four major roadways in Downtown Kent: North Water Street, East Main Street, Erie Street and Franklin Avenue will be closed all day Saturday.

The fireworks display will occur at 10 p.m., followed by a final performance from Mo Mojo to close out the night.

As for the best place to see the fireworks, Wemhoff suggests sticking to East Main Street.

“Right around where Zephyr and the Hometown Bank Plaza are, that’s where I think you can see them the best,” Wemhoff said.

Kaylee Peterson is the downtown reporter, contact her at [email protected].