UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF TWO RIVER:
The City of Two Rivers says some activities will move inside for the event. Craft vendors will be located inside the Hamilton Community House. Tents will also be set up near the food vendors, providing some shelter while you enjoy the great food and flavors of EthnicFest. If it is raining, entertainment will take place inside the Hamilton Community House. Once the rain stops, entertainment will move back outdoors to the Schmitt Brothers Stage in Central Park.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Another busy year awaits one of Two Rivers’ longest-running events.
The 35th Annual EthnicFest takes place tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in downtown Two Rivers between 15th and 19th Streets.
Two Rivers Main Streets Director Jason Ring says there will again be many food trucks with different food from multiple countries, along with drinks and plenty of activities.
“We’ll have some kids’ activities on the north end of the block and then some craft vendors on that end,” he explained. “And on the 1700 block we have the food vendors. And then the 1600 and 1500 blocks of Washington Street are more craft vendors.”
Craft vendors run the gamut, with groups showing off their heritage, along with jewelry makers and woodworkers, among others.
Kids will also get to explore their creative side with activities like pinata making and henna tattoos.
Ring adds that it’s important to hold Ethnicfest because not only do vendors get business, but so do their businesses downtown.
“They are all up and running while we are doing the event,” he announced. “So the idea is with all these people on the street that they’ll pop in and check out some of the businesses and restaurants and activities that they maybe haven’t gone to in the past.”
As in years past, Ethnicfest kicks off with the parade of flags followed by entertainment from the Two Rivers High School Polka Band and headliners Ryan Kautzer Polka Band.
Something new this year is a mural project that’s being worked on at the retaining wall of Two Rivers City Hall.
“He should be wrapping up that mural project on Saturday,” he noted. “So, you can see the artist at work. And if he manages to the get the project done before that, then you will be able to see the final product that he puts forth.”
More information about this year’s Ethnicfest can be found on the Two Rivers Main Streets Facebook page.
