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Summerfest is back, and the first of the three community celebrations is kicking off Saturday, June 13, in the Heights.

Bree Ortiz, city of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Community Events Division manager, said the free events will feature activities for kids, music, food and more.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really something for everybody,鈥� Ortiz said.

The history of Summerfest dates back to the 鈥�80s when it was held at Civic Plaza. It later moved to different parts of town to increase accessibility, she said. When the city first began moving Summerfest into new areas, she said the community wasn鈥檛 as aware of the event, but that has since changed. Now Summerfest takes place in the Heights, Nob Hill and on the West Side.

She said Heights Summerfest began with maybe 3,000 people and now draws nearly 15,000. Prior to the event, there are hundreds of vendor applications, she said. While they can鈥檛 take everyone, many of the businesses whose applications get accepted sell out of their inventory.

Businesses that will be at Heights Summerfest include Anna Maraziti Prints, Audacity by Angelic, Big Jim Farms, Fiesta On the Go, Le Paris Bakery LLC, Mobius Theory and many more.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all local,鈥� she said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just a fun, really great evening in a park with a lot of families to just be able to chill in the grass,鈥� Ortiz said. 鈥淟isten to some really great music, shop, eat and spend time with the family.鈥�

For adults, Summerfest features 鈥淭he Cantina,鈥� with 16 vendors, including breweries, distilleries and wineries.

Ortiz said each location has its own vibe, with Heights Summerfest feeling like a picnic in the park.

Doctor Nativo, a reggae-cumbia-hip-hop band from Central America, will headline Heights Summerfest at North Domingo Baca Park. ABBAquerque, Keeping Up With the Joneses and The Fabulous Martini-Tones will open. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to be able to have something that anyone can go to, that anyone can enjoy, and it really is our gift to the entire community,鈥� Ortiz said.

Elizabeth Secor is an arts fellow for the sa国际传媒官网网页入口. You can reach her at esecor@abqjournal.com.