Heritage Days 2025: “A Heritage of Caring”

Heritage Days 2025 will celebrate the people of Huntington, and how they care for one another with the theme, “A Heritage of Caring.” The events of Heritage Days will take place in various locations from Wednesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 15. The Chamber is also looking for a sponsor for Heritage Days 2025.

When you walk down a Huntington street, you can count on a smile from the people you meet. Over the years many individuals, businesses and organizations have united the community in caring for one another. The Community Chest began in 1947 through the efforts of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, eventually becoming today’s United Way.

Following World War II, in the 1930s and 1940s, the Huntington Chamber of Commerce sought ways to help veterans of the war acclimate into the Huntington community. It became the administrative office for veterans housing as part of this effort. Today the Veterans Service Office, 1350 South Jefferson Street, assists veterans, their widows, spouses and dependents in receiving benefits.

The Community Foundation of Huntington County partners with community members to fund initiatives that support needs in the community, and had its beginnings in 1980 when a group of Huntington County citizens, chaired by Steve Piekarski, then president of First National Bank, began meeting to investigate the creation of a community foundation through utilizing a Lilly endowment. The first name was “Huntington Civic Foundation,” which later became the “Heritage Fund of Huntington County” in 1991. In February 2002, the name was changed to the Huntington County Community Foundation. It became the Community Foundation of Huntington County in 2023, and continues the legacy of enhancing the quality of life in Huntington County through funding, support and helping to ensure everyone in our community can grow and thrive through grants, scholarships and bringing people together.

Churches, businesses, individuals, Huntington County Community Schools, Huntington University and various other organizations also step up to meet the needs of those in our community. The City of Huntington, the County of Huntington, By the Book Program, Huntington County Council on Aging, Habitat for Humanity, Harmony Home, Huntington County Humane Society, Indiana Family Care Center, McKenzie’s Hope, New Life Ministries and the meal ministry, Parkview Boys and Girls Club, Place of Grace, The Salvation Army, United With Love, Youth Services Bureau, nursing facilities, groups homes, police and fire personnel, emergency management personnel, disaster team individuals, healthcare workers and facilities plus those unrecognized individuals are thanked and recognized as part of the Heritage Days 2025 celebration.

Heritage Days activities include the parade that will take place Saturday, June 14 beginning at 10 a.m. Huntington’s way of caring can be carried through on parade entries, and float building is encouraged to bring our “A Heritage of Caring” to life!

Activities that will also be a part of this year’s Heritage Days festivities include the Little Miss and Junior Miss Heritage Days on Wednesday evening, the traditional Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe breakfast Thursday morning and the annual Rotary Strawberry Feed on Thursday evening. A car, truck, bike and motorcycle show will take place on Friday evening in downtown Huntington. The Brat Tent, sponsored by Wise Guys Downtown, will return on Friday and Saturday evening also to the downtown area.

Saturday afternoon following the parade will bring the Fun Zone, full of children’s activities, which will include bounce houses, free pony rides, games provided by the library and more. A car show and hot air balloon festival at Huntington North High School will begin mid-day on Saturday and a balloon glow will take place on Saturday evening.

JeFFFest will take place on Sunday evening, June 15, on Franklin Street across from the Courthouse completing the Heritage Days festivities.

Poor Jack Amusements will provide the midway and carnival rides for 2025. Rides and activities will be located in the Cherry Street area from Wednesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 15. Streets involved with the carnival will close on Monday, June 9 at 3 p.m. to allow for set-up.

Steve Kimmel is the current executive director of the Chamber and Angie Garcia is the office administrator. Information about or those interested in Heritage Days 2025 can contact the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce at (260) 356-5300 or email skimmel@huntington-chamber.com.