Duluth's HillFest celebrates cosmopolitan aspects of East and Central hillsides

Live music, food and games are the order of the day at the intersection of Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue the last weekend in August. Hillfest, a festival that celebrates the positive aspects of East and Central hillsides, is hosting a celebration on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 3-7 p.m.

“While some cities are spending millions of dollars to make themselves seem cosmopolitan,

diverse, and walkable, the Hillside neighborhoods are already this way,” said Adam Pine, a Hillfest organizing committee member. “We are the most culturally diverse community in the city and are one of the only places in the city where

college students, families and young people live

side by side.”

Pine is an assistant professor of geography at UMD.

Pine went on to tout the other amenities of the Hillside, saying “The community hosts grocery stores, schools, restaurants, bars, parks, hospitals, apartment buildings and single-family homes. This festival counteracts negative images of the city

by showing that the different

people that live in the community all value community and togetherness.”

Pine said motorists often drive quickly down Sixth Avenue and see the neighborhood as a place to drive through, not a place to live or spend time. “By closing down the street we take the first step in reclaiming this street that acts as a barrier between East Hillside and Central Hillside, and spark a conversation about pedestrian safety, water runoff pollution, air pollution, and the difficult time neighborhood residents have crossing this large thoroughfare,” Pine said.

“In order for the Hillside neighborhoods to thrive, pedestrians need to be able to walk around the community safely, and this is very difficult with such large streets running straight through the community.”

The planning committee is composed of local residents and other neighborhood stakeholders. The Hillfest organizing committee invites all Duluthians and visitors to attend HillFest on August 26.

Tags: budge community, budgeteer, hillside, community