The Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department is excited to host the 42nd Annual Rhapsody Arts and Music Festival this upcoming Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11 at Island Park in Downtown Elkhart. The festival features over 60 food and artisanal craft vendors, regional artists, a beer tent sponsored by Five Star Dive Bar, free children’s tent, and kid’s activities, with live music from the area’s favorite bands all weekend long. Admission to the festival is free this year.

On Friday, the festival will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature food, beer, live music, and many artists and artisanal vendors. Bring the family and invite your friends for some good quality fun! Kicking off the event at 5 p.m. will be a welcoming by Mayor Rod Roberson followed by a performance from The Starving Artists. Matt Kotinek Band continues at 6 p.m. and the night finishes with the popular Duke Tumatoe at 8 p.m.

Saturday, the festival is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Island Park stage features JTBuffet at 11 a.m., a concert for the kids featuring The Incredible Johnsons at 1 p.m., High Gravity at 2:30 p.m., Amarillo Sky at 4:30 p.m., Lalo Cura at 6:30 p.m., and the headliner Let’s Groove Tonight, the Ultimate Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute Band at 8 p.m.!

The Kids Tent is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday only and features Abracadabra Magic at 2:30 p.m., Balloon Twister at 3:30 p.m., and Wonderflow Hula Hooping at 4:30 p.m. Crafts and games for the kids will be available throughout the day.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, a memorial dedication will be held for former Parks Superintendent, Ken Cantzler at the Shelter.

Check out the activities throughout the event such as the electro-fishing demonstrations that will be happening throughout the day as well on Island Park where folks can see which types of fish live in the St. Joe and Elkhart Rivers from the City’s favorite aquatic biologist, Daragh Deegan. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy at the festival!

This event is made in part by the charitable contributions of the presenting sponsor, Barletta Boats, as well as Pepsi, FORMCO Inc., Indiana Arts Commission, and Borden Waste-Away Group.

Residents can contact the Parks Department for more information at 574-295-7275, follow on Facebook, or email city.parks@coei.org <mailto:city.parks@coei.org>