NEIGHBORHOODS HILLSIDE COMMUNITIES UNITE DURING ANNUAL FESTIVAL

BY ALISON STUCKE

For one afternoon each year, there is no divide between between Central Hillside and East Hillside — there is only The Hillside. HillFest, a tradition since 2010, has united the neighborhoods for one Sunday in August. Fourth Street was closed to traffic between Fifth and Seventh Avenue East. So was Sixth Avenue East, a busy street that is considered the neighborhoods’ boundary.

“We decided we’ll just close Sixth Avenue East and be one big neighborhood for one afternoon,” said Mona Cheslack, Hillfest’s co-coordinator.

Fest-goers were free to stroll, play and visit on the street.

“We probably have the most diverse gathering of people for a local festival,” Cheslack said. “They come to listen, they walk, they talk to the vendors, they gather information, they stay. People really do come and hang out for a while.

“Our primary purpose is to connect the Central and East Hillsides together.”

This year’s event, held Aug. 19, included dancers from CHOICE, unlimited, a costumed pet parade, arts and crafts, a children’s bike rodeo, basketball, bounce house, climbing wall and a tofu toss.

Information tables included hillside-located organizations like Essentia, Whole Foods Co-op, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Family Practice Center and others. Entertainment featured musical group Wood Blind, and Daniel Oyinloye, a musician, storyteller and community organizer. Hillside resident JP Rennquist was emcee.

Gloria Dei, at 6th Avenue East and Third Street has participated in HillFest all of its nine years — despite being damaged in a fire in 2016.

“Gloria Dei is situated right on that edge of Central and East Hillside neighborhoods,” Pastor David Carlson said. “And our ministry is all about reconciliation through relationship with God and our neighbors.”

This year, Gloria Dei offered free beading sessions for festival attendees. Church member Tom Uecker, president of Monarch Buddies, brought his educational materials and chrysalides, which people could observe in the process of transforming into butterflies.

Cheslack said that at this event, there are not a lot of vendors selling items, but many are giving away items such as a piece of fruit or bottle of water.

“Many people come to HillFest with no money,” she said.

Cheslack said that she has lived in the East Hillside neighborhood since 1979, and that it’s a great place to live.

“There are many pluses to living in Hillside,” she said. “The Hillside has easy, accessible bus routes. There’s the ease of commute, walkability and access to health care. If you own a car, we’re about 15 minutes to anywhere in the city. The Hillside really is a nice, welcoming neighborhood, even if all we do is wave and smile to one another.”

While Cheslack said she loves the Hillside, she wants the neighborhood to participate in more community building. That’s why she keeps HillFest going.

“My personal feeling is that we don’t make the time to meet our new neighbors while they are here,” she said. “HillFest gives people the chance to say ‘hi’ in an easy atmosphere.” Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer.