By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

While many of Portage County streets may have seemed a little desolate Saturday afternoon, downtown Kent saw as many as 30,000 people walking the streets at the 13th annual Kent Heritage Festival.

Warm and pleasant weather, as well as the 150 attractions, made the festival quite a draw this year, said Bill Hoover, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

"It seems to get bigger every year," he said. "It's been a great success -- and a wonderful day for the city of Kent."

The event kicked-off at 7:30 a.m. with the 5K and 10K annual run sponsored by the Davey Tree Expert Co.

As the crowd grew larger, music from three different stages echoed and bounced off brick buildings. The smell of barbecued and fried foods wafted through the comfortable afternoon, luring new customers.

Festival-goers had the opportunity to shop at 80 craft vendors, selling a variety of items, from jewelry and sand art to clothing and scrapbooking supplies.

The passenger train whistle blew for what could be the last time, as the 3rd annual "last train ride" left downtown every hour-and-a-half, traveling to Towner's Woods Park and back.

The Woodsy's Music-sponsored Guitar Hero booth, gave children of all ages the opportunity to compete in the popular video game.

More than 100 classic cars were on display at College and Franklin avenues.

Even Flash, the golden eagle mascot for Kent State University, made an appearance at the festival with his handlers.

More than 20 music acts performed on three stages, and some sat along the buildings to listen to the variety of music in the shade.

Kent resident Jodi Swan said she attended the event to hear the Kent African Drum Community, her favorite band.

"I think the Heritage Festival is a great way for people to get together and enjoy downtown," she said.

Another Kent resident, Karl Walter, soaked up the sights and sounds from a curb on Main Street as he enjoyed barbecued ribs.

"I love this event," he said. "Kent needs people downtown to promote merchants. This is a nice promotional event for the city."

More than 900 mortars lit up the clear sky above Kramer Fields to close the Heritage Festival with the annual Jeff Graham Memorial Fireworks show -- ending what Hoover called a perfect day.

He said the annual event would not be possible this year without its lead sponsors: the city of Kent; Kent Area Chamber of Commerce; Central Portage County VCB: Burbick Foundation; Christianson Foundation; Home Savings Bank; Kent State University Athletics; and Time Warner Cable.