Miller’s Fest in the First marks its 21st year

News Room

After 21 years of a little bit of this and a little bit of that, Gary’s Miller section’s Fest in the First finally hit its stride.

Fest organizers stopped counting at around 1,200 people leisurely strolling down Saturday evening because, at that point, they knew they’d doubled their attendance from last year, co-organizer Jess Renslow said. With a bunch of new clicks to the fest’s web site — 300 in one day, to be exact — they anticipated an increase but were still delighted.

“We were able to get performances from our public, charter and private schools,” Renslow said. “We collaborated with more community partners than ever before, and we could not have done this without our generous sponsors.

Damian Ferguson, right; and Ja’Niylah Baker, next to her, try their hands at archery during Fest in the First in Gary on Sept. 21. (Michelle L. Quinn/Post-Tribune)

“The committee and I are very grateful for the continued support and help making the 21st Annual Fest in the First the best one yet.”

Fest in the First Committee Chair Gretchen Sipp said the event has ebbed and flowed over the years. When it first started, there was always a raucous Battle of the Bands among the Gary high schools, for example.

“Between that and the dance team battles, it was just electric,” she said. “Of course, we have far fewer schools now.”

Jacqueline Fowler, owner of Stress Busters Inc., of Gary, works out the kinks in Jerrell Watson's, of Chicago, back during Gary's Fest in the First Sept. 21. The 21-year-old street fest highlights the city's businesses in the Miller neighborhood. (Michelle L. Quinn/Post-Tribune)
Jacqueline Fowler, owner of Stress Busters Inc., of Gary, works out the kinks in Jerrell Watson’s, of Chicago, back during Gary’s Fest in the First Sept. 21. The 21-year-old street fest highlights the city’s businesses in the Miller neighborhood. (Michelle L. Quinn/Post-Tribune)

The fest’s core mission, however, hasn’t waivered: that of highlighting Miller’s businesses, she said. There were some out-of-town businesses there, but mostly, it was Miller’s time to shine, and people seemed more than happy to take the party into them.

Artist Brianna Schwab was a first-time vendor at the Fest and had a great time.

“My success here wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the organizers,” Schwab said. “I was woefully unprepared, but because of their help, everything ran smoothly.”

Damiya Ferguson, 9, shot her shot with friend Ja’Niylah Baker, 8, at an archery set in the kids’ section of the fest. It was their first time at the event, and dad Jonathan Baker was impressed.

“There’s a nice variety of food and activities for the kids,” Baker said. “You can definitely see the upkeep of businesses out here.”

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. 

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