The story of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival is one of vision, community spirit, and the determination of local leaders who believed in the power of celebrating their city's unique heritage. What began as a modest gathering in 1979 has grown into one of Michigan's most beloved free community festivals, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors each year.
In the fall of 1978, Nathalie "Nat" Edmunds and other members of the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau applied for a grant from the Michigan Department of Commerce to fund a tour guide for Ypsilanti's historic districts. Their request was denied because funding had been depleted. However, the department had money set aside as seed money for emerging festivals, and this unexpected opportunity would change the course of Ypsilanti's cultural landscape forever.
Edmunds spearheaded the endeavor to convene an August meeting of the many local summer activity organizations, as well as the city's historic districts. The meeting was held at Riverside Park in Depot Town and showcased the city's heritage in a way that captured the imagination of all who attended.
It took Nat Edmunds' vision and persuasion to bring it all together and to get the Convention and Visitors Bureau to apply for the needed funding. In December 1978, the Michigan Convention and Visitors Bureau came to Ypsilanti for a tour to see what was historic about the city.
Nat Edmunds took them on a tour that only she could provide, weaving together the stories of Ypsilanti's rich architectural heritage, its role in Michigan history, and the vibrant community that called it home. Her passion and knowledge were infectious, and by the end of the tour, the visitors understood exactly why Ypsilanti deserved its own heritage celebration.
That transformative tour launched the 1979 "Ypsilanti Yesteryear Heritage Festival," a gathering that brought together local organizations, artisans, performers, and families to celebrate all that made Ypsilanti special. The response from the community exceeded all expectations, demonstrating the deep hunger residents had for a celebration of their shared heritage.
In 1982, the festival was renamed simply the "Ypsilanti Heritage Festival," reflecting its evolution from a historical retrospective to a living celebration that honored the past while embracing the present and future of this dynamic community.
Over the decades, the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival has evolved while staying true to its founding mission. Activities and events have come and gone, with new ones always being planned year-round to keep the festival fresh and exciting. Yet certain traditions have remained constant:
Today, the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival celebrates the rich historical significance of Ypsilanti while offering contemporary events and activities for today's families and creating lasting memories. Remarkably, many of the same volunteers and supporters from that first year continue to work with the more than 50 Ypsilanti community organizations and hundreds of other volunteers to bring our three-day, family-friendly festival to Riverside Park on the banks of the Huron River, Depot Town, and Downtown.
We are very proud that the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival is one of the last remaining free admission festivals of its size in the state. This commitment to accessibility ensures that every family, regardless of their financial circumstances, can participate in this celebration of community and heritage.
The Ypsilanti Heritage Festival stands as a testament to what communities can achieve when they come together with shared purpose. From Nat Edmunds' initial vision to the efforts of today's organizers and volunteers, the festival represents the best of Ypsilanti: a place where history is honored, community is cherished, and everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
According to the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places, Ypsilanti boasts one of the finest collections of Victorian-era architecture in the Midwest, making it a particularly fitting location for a heritage celebration.