AUBURN GRESHAM — The 10th Annual Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
More than 10,000 attendees have participated in the free festival in past years, said Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation’s program director, Nicole Wheatly.
“It is a safe family festival where people are able to come out, get a taste of a variety of foods and enjoy the entertainment,” she said. “It’s also an opportunity to network and build relationships, but really just to focus on bringing families together, so we’re really excited.”
The festival takes place on 79th Street between Racine and Loomis. There will be more than 80 vendors, many of them local businesses. Cheretta Botchwey, the founder of Auburn Gresham’s own Rhythms Within U Dance and Fitness did a zumba fitness demo on stage last year. This year she will have a booth.
People can come out and try different food, participate in activities like hayrides and listen to live music. There will be everything from jazz to gospel. Chicago's own DJ Farley "Jack Master Funk" will return for another year to close out the festival. He'll play house music, a genre he's been known for since 1981 when he joined the "Hot Mix 5" DJ team at WBMX-FM, which is now V103.
For the children there will be a petting zoo, Ferris wheel and more.
One of the things that will be different this year is more of an emphasis on teenagers, Wheatly said: “We recognize that our teens are different. They want to have their own presence and own energy there.”
At the festival, they will have a section just for them, including a DJ playing the latest hits. There will be arcade games, a boxing arena, basketball court and more.
All students will receive school supplies and toiletries. And 400 seniors will receive a free breakfast at 11 a.m.
Wheatly said that this event promotes peace.
“People have a misconception about activities on 79th Street, but we have had nine successful years with absolutely not one incident occurring during our festival.”
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