Downtown Kent to celebrate 18th annual Kent Heritage Festival

Katie Shevlin

The city of Kent will come alive to celebrate the 18th annual Kent Heritage Festival, which will

take place Saturday, July 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Kent.

Main Street Stage

10:00 – 10:30 am Franklin School of Dance

10:30 – 11:15 am Buckeye Dance Steps

11:15 am – Noon National Anthem/Announcements

12:15 – 1:00 pm Rio Neon

1:15 – 2:00 pm Alex Bevan

2:15 – 3:00 pm Peggy Coyle & Brad Bolton

3:30 – 4:15 pm Speedbumps

4:45 – 5:30 pm Roger Hoover & the Hurt

6:00 – 6:45 pm Mark Angelo Comedy in Hi Def

6:45 – 7:00 pm Announcements

7:00 – 7:45 pm Rachel & the Beatnick Playboys

8:15 – 9:00 pm Hillbilly Idol

9:30 – 11:00 pm Danjo Jazz Orchestra & Fireworks

Erie Street Stage

11:00 – 11:45 am Noize from the Basement

12:15 – 1:00 pm Hard to Handle Band

1:30 – 2:15 pm Stingers

2:45 – 3:30 pm Twist Offs

4:00 – 4:45 pm Monopoly

5:15 – 6:00 pm Numbers Band

6:30 – 7:15 pm Bluestones

7:45 – 8:30 pm Bar 145’s Fu5ion Band

9:00 – 9:45 pm Kade Dunna Drummers & Fyre Maevyn

North Water Street Stage

11:00 – 11:45 am Boxcar Penny

Noon – 12:45 pm Gypsy Soul Belly Dancers

1:00 – 1:45 pm Hal Walker

2:00 – 2:45 pm Jon Mosey Trio

3:00 – 3:45 pm Moustache Yourself

4:00 – 4:45 pm Bee String Band

5:00 – 5:45 pm Topher Starzyk

6:00 – 6:45 pm Summit

7:00 – 7:45 pm Hive Robbers

Lori Wemhoff, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, said more than 100

crafters, vendors, and businesses have signed up to participate in the all-day event lining Main,

Water and Erie streets.

“It is a sea of humanity,” Wemhoff said. “About 23,000 people, on average, show up in

downtown Kent just for the event.”

The new parking garage, which has 365 parking spaces, will be free throughout the weekend.

Three stages featuring local talent will be set up throughout downtown to provide all-day

entertainment.

David Herpy, outdoor adventure coordinator at Crooked River Adventures, which is organized

by Kent State Recreational Services, has been a part of the festival for several years, and said it’s

a great family event with activities for all ages.

“We enjoy being a part of the Kent community,” Herpy said. “It’s a great event, and it’s a lot of

fun.”

Along with Crooked River Adventures, Kent State has several other departments participating in

the event including the Athletics Department and Student Media.

As a tradition, the AMETEK Tree City 5K run, which benefits the United Way of Portage

County, and Jaycees Duck Drop will take place. The event will conclude with the Jeff Graham

Memorial Fireworks, which will start at about 9:45 p.m.

The festival is organized by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce and Kent United Service

Organizations, which is composed of the city of Kent, the Kent Licensed Beverage Association,

Kent Jaycees, Kent Lions, Kent Junior Mothers, Kent Kiwanis, Kent Rotary Knights of

Columbus and Main Street Kent.

Contact Katie Shevlin at [email protected].