Saturday, July 2 will mark the return of Kent’s annual Heritage Festival. In its 21st year, the all-day (9 am until 11 p.m.) festival will include live music, a fireworks display, a car show, food booths, a children’s play area with games and a rock-climbing wall, and more.

Last year’s festival boasted attendance close to 25,000 people, according to Lori Wemhoff, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization responsible for the festival. “It is a huge draw to the city, and benefits not only the vendors who set up that day, but in particular, the businesses who call Kent home.”

This year’s live entertainment schedule includes 26 acts across three stages ranging from blues, folk and rock music to dance performance, cheerleading and live comedy. The stages will be located on Erie St, N.

Water St, and on the corner of Franklin Ave. and Main St. The fireworks show will commence at 10 pm.

The event is free to attend, and parking will be available for festivalgoers at the PARTA parking deck on Depeyster St, the KSU Fashion Building parking lot on S. Lincoln St, Columbus St, and Locke Lane behind Panini’s.

For more information, visit KentBiz.com or email the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce at [email protected].