On June 17th from 12-4 p.m., University Park Neighborhoods (UPN) will be hosting its second community gathering, Summer Fest, at University Park in Grand Forks. All are welcome to join the neighborhood in this celebration of community with fun activities for all ages, live music, and local food vendors.

The UPN’s Summer Fest is a gathering of neighbors to have fun, engage with one another, and build a stronger community. It is a family friendly event, open to all ages, and does not contain alcohol. The event is free and open to the public. At this year’s event, there will be live musical performances by The Cheron, Dhejemke, and Caleb Shelton so bring lawn chairs to take it easy and relax. While you’re enjoying live music, local favorite food vendors, such as Steers, Little Bangkok, and Kool Kidz Shaved Ice, will be selling food and other treats. To keep you hydrated during the day, water, lemonade, tea, hot chocolate, and coffee will be available for free inside the warming house.

In addition to live music and food, NDSU Extension Services, the Salvation Army, High Plains Fair Housing, Blue Zones, Habitat for Humanity, the Grand Forks Public Library, Empire Theatre, and other local services and organizations will table at the event to share information about their free programs in our community. Throughout the park, there will be free giveaways, games, and other great activities for kids and adults alike. Also, free UPN flowerpots and starter grow packets are available to the first 100 attendees.

UPN sincerely appreciates the assistance we receive from our local donors. Summer Fest is made possible because of the generous donations and support from donors, including the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, the Knight Foundation, and Visit Greater Grand Forks.

Summer Fest is a great opportunity for those who live in Grand Forks to learn about local community events, such as Walking Club Sundays, Biking Club Saturdays, monthly Pancake Dinner and Game Nights, or other local programs, such as painting Fire Hydrants, constructing public benches and Little Free Library boxes, and meeting for regular conversations around Housing in north Grand Forks. Our main goal is increasing the sense of neighborliness in our communities through New Neighbor Welcome Packets, Block Parties, and Neighborhood Clean-ups. More information on all our programs and events is available on our Facebook page. (@UnivParkNeighbors)

This is a wonderful event for those visiting Grand Forks as well and showcases our lovely north-end neighborhoods. We will continue to send out announcements on Summer Fest and encourage you to invite your friends and family to attend. We hope to see all our neighbors and visitors on June 17th for an afternoon of fun and community building!

About University Park Neighborhoods
University Park Neighborhoods is a collaborative organization focused on building community and improving the quality of living in northern Grand Forks. We support neighbors living west of Columbia, east of Downtown, north of Demers, and south of Gateway by taking action to improve our community. The University Park area is an important neighborhood that connects the University of North Dakota’s campus to historic downtown Grand Forks and the near-north neighborhoods. We’re interested in community-built initiatives to improve the quality of living throughout our neighborhoods, from infrastructure and transportation to policy and beautification. We want to know our neighbors and take action to make this a place where we—renters and property owners—can all be proud to live. We host a variety of recurring events, such as Walking Club Sundays, Biking Club Saturdays, Fire Hydrant Painting, Building Benches, Little Free Library Boxes, and hosting free Children’s Art in the Park parties. UPN has also accomplished a variety of community projects, such as holding over twenty community events, working with the City of Grand Forks to replace lighting from 20th St. N. to 10th St. N. at no cost to taxpayers, forming a committee of residents to discuss the housing needs of the area, and working with the Grand Forks School District and the University of North Dakota to involve students in beautification and community outreach projects. Learn more about University Parks Neighborhoods and its work at facebook.com/UnivParkNeighbors/ or email us at universityavenuegf@gmail.com

About the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region
The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and trusted advisers, the Foundation manages over 130 charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, public entities, and other charitable causes. Since 1998, the Foundation has granted over $10 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the middle and upper Red River Valley, with a focus on Grand Forks and Polk Counties. Learn more about the Community Foundation and its work at gofoundation.org/

About the Knight Foundation
The Knight Foundation supports Grand Forks’ goal to attract and retain talented people and focuses their investments in Grand Forks’ core city vibrancy, better connecting the University of North Dakota to the community through smart design, entrepreneurship and civic engagement. The Foundation’s strategy focuses on identifying and working with partners to help these communities attract and nurture talent, promote economic opportunity and foster civic engagement. The Foundation works with community foundation leaders and local advisory committees to identify investment opportunities that can help these communities be more informed. Some important focuses of the Foundation include building a sustainable future for local news, supporting equitable, inclusive engagement, connecting people to place and each other, and understanding our impact in communities. Learn more about the Foundation and its work at knightfoundation.org/community/grand-forks/

About Visit Greater Grand Forks
Greater Grand Forks is a vibrant, thriving, community surrounded by rich beautiful farm country. Whether it's power shopping at the big box retailers or browsing through several unique boutiques. Dining at a legendary steakhouse or nouveau Molly Yeh cafe. Enjoying a local music festival Downtown or national concert tour at Alerus Center. Strolling through an awesome art gallery or on a scenic Greenway trail. Oaring up to kayak the Red or sticking around to experience University of North Dakota Hockey at the Ralph. It's a place that feels warm even in the winter and where you'll find plenty to see and do, in addition to meeting some of the coolest people around. We invite you to come see firsthand why two Forks equals twice the fun! Learn more about Visit Grand Forks at www.visitgrandforks.com