The streets of downtown Humboldt came alive this past weekend as the Humboldt StreetFest drew residents and visitors alike for two days of music, games, food, and celebration of local culture and community. Held on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23, the event saw impressive turnout and participation across all venues, with organizers calling it a success on every front.
"It was really good this weekend," said Alyssa Hergott, one of the key organizers of StreetFest. “I was pleasantly surprised with the turnout at the vendors and the car show and everything on Saturday. It wasn’t too hot or cold out, so it really brought people out;I think it was really successful.”
The family-friendly event once again focused heavily on providing entertainment for children. Inflatable bouncers, face painting, and interactive cultural games hosted by Prairie Gateway Settlement Services were major highlights.
“The kids loved the bouncers — those are always a big hit,” Hergott said. “And I saw a lot of kids walking around with face paint, which was done by Boston Pizza. It was also great to see the cultural games being such a hit with the kids this year.”
Another crowd-pleasing moment came when members of the Humboldt Broncos took to the streets and were quickly surrounded by excited young fans.
“I was so happy that happened this year,” said Hergott. “The kids think of them as celebrities, so it was really special.”
The entertainment lineup this year featured more musical acts than ever, showcasing both local talent and cultural performances arranged in partnership with Prairie Gateway Settlement Services.
“It was so nice to see all the different acts and cultures up on the stage,” Hergott said. “I was very surprised and very happy with how that turned out. Tracy [from the organizing team with Prairie Gateway Settlement Services] did a great job connecting with new bands and helping get them on stage.”
The annual street dance, this year moved from Friday to Saturday, still brought in a sizable crowd despite the shift in schedule. Local favorite 40 Oz Philosophy was a feature attraction.
“The turnout wasn’t quite as good as last year, but I think changing the day might’ve played a role,” Hergott said. “Still, it was financially similar to last year and everyone there had a great time.”
Perhaps most importantly, the festival’s goal of driving traffic to Humboldt’s downtown core proved successful.
“The businesses I spoke with were really pleased with the turnout and the visibility,” said Hergott. “One shop, Danish Oven, I’ve never seen so many boxes flying out the door. They must’ve been baking non-stop. And a lot of other businesses said foot traffic in their stores was strong.”
After a strong second year, the question on many minds was whether StreetFest will return in 2026. According to Hergott, the future is looking bright.
“I think we’re on board for a third year,” she said. “I was hesitant at first — last year was chaotic — but this year we knew what we were doing, and everything ran smoother. I for sure have another year in me.”
She also credited the community and local businesses for helping ease the load on organizers.
“The businesses that supplied volunteers made a huge difference,” she added. “We didn’t have to do everything ourselves like we did last year. The community really stepped up.”
As Humboldt winds down from another successful StreetFest, the buzz around downtown makes one thing clear — the tradition is quickly becoming a beloved summer staple.