Touch of Dutch Festival Offers Live Music, Parade and Car Show

NewSouthShoreCVA-logoThe DeMotte Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Touch of Dutch festival at Spencer Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy free concerts from musical acts Island 49, a Jimmy Buffet-style band, and Levi Riggs, an Indiana-native country music artist who has had hits make the Music Row Charts and Billboard Indicator Charts. Riggs has performed nationally and has opened for major country artists such as The Band Perry, Travis Tritt and Jason Aldean.

During the family-fun event, attendees will enjoy live entertainment, craft and food vendors, kids’ entertainment, a parade, a car show and the Rotary Ramble 5K run and fitness walk. Live entertainment will include chainsaw carving, acoustic guitar music and singing by the band Hot Sauce, square dancing by Wrong Way Squares and more.

According to Diva Rish, executive director of the DeMotte Chamber of Commerce, the Touch of Dutch festival will feature numerous components that will add to the Dutch feel of the event including vendors using Dutch names for items, Dutch pastries and Dutch guilder, or money, being raffled for use at vendor booths.

“The chamber has circulated $200 that will be given away at the chamber’s booth. Visitors to the booth can spin a wheel to be awarded the “Dutch guilder” to be used at any of the vendor booths,” explain Rish. “We will also be doing giveaways all day long.” Giveaway items include gift certificates and gifts donated by DeMotte Chamber of Commerce members.

Those interested in participating in the Rotary Ramble 5K run and fitness walk can register by searching “upcoming races” at www.thtiming.com. Cost is $20 per person with a shirt or $15 per person without a shirt through Saturday, Aug. 2. After Aug. 2, registration will cost $25 per person with a shirt or $20 per person without a shirt. Adults may register a child 14 years old or younger to participate with them for $12, including a T-shirt, if registered by Aug. 2. Child registration will cost regular fee after Aug. 2 or if registered without an adult.

The Rotary Ramble 5K run and fitness walk, which is endorsed by the Calumet Striders as a Gold Cup Series Race, will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 at DeMotte Elementary School, located at US 231/Halleck Street in DeMotte. Wooden shoes imported from Holland will be given as awards.

For more information on the Rotary Ramble 5K, contact Char or Tresa at 219-987-2875 or by email at tgroet@netnitco.net. For more information on the Touch of Dutch festival, contact Diva Rish at 219-405-6840 or email info@demottechamber.org.