Multifest returns for its 35th year on Thursday at Haddad Riverfront Park in downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Mechy Martin, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, dances to live music during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Martin has attended Multifest for its entire 35-year stretch.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-MailThe four-day celebration of cultural diversity features food vendors, art, education, family-friendly activities and live music.
The first evening's festivities included a cultural heritage parade, back-to-school giveaways and a Native American traditional dance performance.Â
Many attendees came for the music.Â
JoAnn Molina, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, snaps and dances along to the live music during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. used to come to Multifest as a date night with her late husband. Since his death in 2016, Molina still returns to dance in his memory. “It's our night out. We're dancing together," she said. "These are the moments that help me continue on."
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-MailJoAnn Molina, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, said she used to come to Multifest as a date night with her late husband. Since his death in 2016, she has returned to dance in his memory. As she sits on the concrete steps, she sways to the musicians playing onstage, eventually making her way to dance with the crowd gathered below.Â
"It's our night out. We're dancing together," she said. "These are the moments that help me continue on."
Tia Roberts, of the Narragansett tribe in Rhode Island, dances during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-MailStories you might like
- Review: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' director takes the money, runs from weak sequel
- Review: 'Superman' lacks conviction, is portrayed as stubborn, insecure and petulant
- 35th annual Multifest draws crowds with food and live music in downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä
- Keith-Albee's new executive director wants to bring big names to Huntington
Charles Ingram, of Dunbar, has attended the festival "ever since they started. I just like supporting different cultures. We all can come together as one."
Multifest was founded in August 1989 and began as a one-day event. It has grown over the years, with the Multifest website stating the 2024 broke a record with an attendance of more than 54,000 people during the four-day festival.Â
Kanawha Boulevard East is closed for the festival in front of Haddad Riverfront Park from Capitol Street to Clendenin Street.
Local ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä band Stratus plays during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-MailHere's the music lineup for the rest of the festival:
- Friday, 8:10 p.m.: Ladies Night with R&B performer and actor Christopher Williams, followed by headliner Troop
- Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: DJ Kool, followed by headliner R.S.V.P., made up of Ray J, Sammie, Bobby V and Pleasure P
- Sunday, 7:20 p.m.: Mike Jones, followed by the ZAPP Band
Sunday's festivities also include a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Diana White, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, dances to the set local band Stratus during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. White is attending the festival with her daughter, Laticia Fox.
- LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
Mitchell Gray, of upstate New York, Samarra Yazie, of North Dakota, and Tia Roberts, of Rhode Island perform a series of Native American dances during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.
- LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
JoAnn Molina, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, snaps and dances along to the live music during the first day of Multifest at Haddad Riverfront Park in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. used to come to Multifest as a date night with her late husband. Since his death in 2016, Molina still returns to dance in his memory. “It's our night out. We're dancing together," she said. "These are the moments that help me continue on."
- LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
