Mishawakans celebrate their city at 3rd Annual Heritage Festival

MISHAWAKA, Ind.— The ‘Princess City’ saw a record crowd on Sunday for the third annual Mishawaka Heritage Festival.

Thousands of people enjoyed live music, food, free activities and over two dozen local vendors.

“It’s a nice family town to settle down in. We have different cultures from all over,” says lifelong resident Brandon Madera.

At just 10-years-old, Mishawaka resident Mariah expressed a similar love for her city.

“I just love living here. I wouldn’t live anywhere else. Great parks, great restaurants, and great people, I mean where else?” says Mariah.

In previous years, a citizen committee led the festival. The city’s parks department has always been involved in that process. When the original organizers couldn’t manage the event this year, the city stepped up to keep the tradition going.

“We’re going to celebrate the history of Mishawaka and make sure the younger generation knows where we came from,” says Park’s Superintendent Phil Blasko.

Hoping to remind residents of their roots, local vendors like Pete DeKever with the Mishawaka Historical Museum encouraged folks to learn more about its history.

“I want people to know the stories behind Mishawaka. The products we’ve manufactured here, the famous people who came from Mishawaka. Ultimately it makes them feel proud to know all of these wonderful things from our past,” says  DeKever.

DeKever was part of the committee that started the festival in 2015. Now, he’s hoping to keep the celebration and the learning. He is a member of the team working to open the first museum dedicated to the city’s history.

The Mishawaka Historical Museum is set to open sometime in 2018 and will be located on Main Street. To keep up with their progress, click here.