Heritage Festival continues Ypsilanti tradition By Shawna Parker Dimensions Editor Depot Town, Riverside Park and Frog Island will be alive with sights and sounds August 18-20 with the return of the 22nd annual Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. The Festival was started in 1979 as a celebration of history, architecture and diversity, said Nathalie Emunds, the event s founder and current chairperson. Ypsilanti is the second largest historic district in the state of Michigan and is listed in the national register for historic homes. Val Kabot, the Festival s promotions manager said another reason the event was started was to gain money to improve the city. People wanted money for facelifts of the community but there was no grant money for that, Kabot said.
People come from all over southeast Michigan and some from out of state just to attend.
People are interested in history and outdoor events and this is for the entire family. A parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Huron Street will be closed after the parade for an old car show to be held in the middle of the street. A popular event for the adults, as well as the children, is the walking tour of homes and gardens in the area. Edmunds said that there are a numerous Victorian houses that will be opened up to the public and a tour will leave every hour. Another special event will be the Flying Wallendas who are no strangers to the Festival.