MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Despite some rainy weather, the Mishawaka community danced through Wed. evening at the 22nd annual Kamm Island Fest (KIF), put on by the Mishawaka Business Association (MBA).
The event takes place on Kamm Island, which is a destination on the Mishawaka River Walk, and serves as the main annual fundraiser for the MBA.
The chairperson for KIF and president of MBA, Stacy Vervynckt, said she was on the MBA board two decades ago, helping the festival get started. Over the years, she’s watched the city of Mishawaka grow.
“One of the big booms is all of the new apartment complexes and the townhome…When we started this it was completely open, Beutter Park wasn’t here yet, all of that has come along… year-to-year as we’ve grown,” said Vervynckt.
The growth and business community are two things local businesses said are a draw to the city. Michael and Michelle Padrnos, co-owners of PaddyShack Ice Cream shop in Granger said it’s what helped make their decision on where to open a second shop.
“We’re saving a lot of money and we’re trying to open up a second location and we want it to be in Mishawaka because the downtown is absolutely revitalized and thriving, more and more people are moving down there, more and more people want to be a part of it,” said Michael while serving ice cream at Kamm Island Fest.
To learn more about the fest, click here.