Opening night of Hartford City's 23rd annual Heritage Fest started with a bang from shots fired by the American Legion Post 159, followed by a prayer and the sound of "God Bless America."
"We have the Heritage Fest every year to get people downtown and celebrate the summer," president of heritage days Doug Osborn said.
The festival originated in 1980 by Hartford City resident Senator David Ford, Osborn said.
"It's good to see people having fun," resident John Amos said.
The festival will run until Saturday night and is filled with live music, pageants and contests.
Osborn said this is the most rides the festival has ever had.
Nine-year-old Hartford City resident Steven Jones said his favorite ride was the "merry-go-round."
Many residents see the festival as a time to rekindle friendships.
"I come for the music and to see people that I don't get to see in the summer," resident Daniel Ring said.
Resident Tricia Backley said the fair has changed over the years.
"It used to be really big," Backley said. "But people just don't come out like they used to."
The smell of elephant ears, french fries and kettle corn lured many of the festival's visitors.
"I like all the stuff on the grills," Dunkirk resident Lloyd Hopkins said. "I need to get the rib-eye steak sandwich before I leave."
Hopkins attends the festival to pay homage to his heritage because he lived in Hartford City while growing up before moving to Dunkirk. He said the town has endured changes over the years.
"Businesses around the town have closed, and there are more flea-market-like stores compared to when I was a kid," Hopkins said.
Lee Sluder, who has lived around Hartford City for 43 years, agreed that the town has changed.
"The church and the 4-H used to be the center of the community," Sluder said. "Now everyone's got their own things to do."
Among the vendors were various not-for-profit organizations such as Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and the local Elks chapter.
The Gamma Nu sorority stationed in Hartford City has attended the festival every year raising money for scholarships and other organizations.
"It's a small-town atmosphere," member Pam Davis said. "I know people in town that leave their doors unlocked."
Gamma Nu hopes to raise between $600 and $800 by selling home-made cookies on a stick and a 50/50 raffle.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday.
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