The DeMotte Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Touch of Dutch festival at Spencer Park on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8. The festival’s theme this year is “We Salute You in Red, White & Blue” to honor the brave men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces.
During the two-day family-fun event, attendees can enjoy live music entertainment, craft and food vendors, kids’ entertainment, carnival rides and games, a parade, a car show and the Rotary Ramble 5K Run and Fitness Walk. There will also be Wall of Honor for veterans at this year’s festival featuring photos, names, and the branch of service and year of service for veterans.
The festival will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and attendees can enjoy kid’s entertainment, carnival rides and games, and food and craft vendors. There will be a free concert featuring the band Barcode from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Touch of Dutch Festival will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. In addition to family activities and vendors, festival goers can enjoy a car show, giveaways and Dutch dollars. The car show will be hosted at the fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the parade will step-off at 10 a.m., and there will be a book signing with Ken Bult, author of The Dutch in the Calumet Region, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Live music entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, with the band Bump Fuzzy. Foster will take the stage from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closing the Touch of Dutch Festival will be fireworks, sponsored by NIPSCO, beginning at dusk.
Those interested in participating in the 35th annual Rotary Ramble 5K Run and Fitness Walk can register in the DeMotte Elementary School gym on Friday, Aug. 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants can register on race day from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., and the race will begin at 8 a.m. Participants may also register online by visiting www.thtiming.com. Registration through race day costs $25 and includes a shirt. To register without a shirt, cost is $20.
Wooden shoes imported from the Netherlands will be given as awards. For more information about the race, call Char at 219-987- 2875 or 219-863-2122.
For more information on the Touch of Dutch festival, contact Diva Rish at 219-405-6840 or email info@demottechamber.org.
