A mural painted on a wall in downtown Nappanee evokes the theme of the town’s weekend celebration. Situated in front of the mural is one of the new flower-themed art pieces that dote the downtown area. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

NAPPANEE — People from around the region descended upon Nappanee on Saturday, July 14, to enjoy a special day of activities held throughout the small Elkhart County city. It was the third day of the town’s annual “Embrace the Pace Days,” which coincided with its monthly “Second Saturday” activities that always proves to be a big draw for locals and visitors alike.

Activities began on Thursday with free city-wide garage sales, which appeared in the front yards and driveways of homes both in and out of the town’s limits. However, most of the activities were focused on Saturday when many people took advantage of their day off work to enjoy what the town had to showcase.

From 1-4 p.m., visitors were able to enjoy the inaugural Nappanee Art Walk, which was promoted as “an afternoon filled with local creative talent spread throughout our vibrant town.” Guests had an opportunity to stroll through many locally owned and operated shops, including those located downtown, in Coppes Commons and at various other locales throughout the city and countryside.

Camden and Caraline Deak of Milford visited Nappanee on Saturday, July 14, and helped decorate the sidewalk in front of the Nappanee Center, along with a bit of help from their mother, Angie. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

There were many activities for kids, including chalk drawing at the Nappanee Center and a “decorate a van with spray paint” opportunity on the east side of town. Adults also had an opportunity to visit several vendors spread out in the downtown pavilion, as well as in the parking lot at Coppes Commons.

In the afternoon, motorcycle riders gathered for the eighth annual “Crusin’ for the Club” 70 mile bike run, which was sponsored by the local Boys & Girls Club.

Hundreds gathered inside the Nappanee Fire Department’s equipment bay for the department’s annual Jonah Fish Fry fundraiser. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

The evening concluded with the Nappanee Fire Department’s annual fundraiser, a popular Jonah Fish Fry, which has been a local favorite in the community for many years. People also had the opportunity to enjoy music by 2010 National Hammered Dulcimer Champion Ted Yoder, a Goshen musician whose Facebook Live video of his performance of the Tears For Fears hit sone “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” which went viral in 2016 and experienced 53 million views in four days.

The hats of numerous Amish men decorate a tree outside the Nappanee Fire Department while their owners enjoyed an all-you-can-eat fish fry nearby. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Xander Knepp, 7, stands on the running board of the Nappanee Fire Department’s newest truck during the town’s annual “Embrace the Pace Days,” on Saturday, July 14. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Spencer Lichty helps brighten one of Nappanee’s sidewalk during the town’s inaugural Art Walk, which was part of Embrace the Pace Days. Flanking Spencer are grandparrents Bob and Kimberley Lichty. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Bikes line up along Marion Street in Nappanee in preparation for the eighth annual “Crusin’ for the Club” bike run. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Local artist Hannah Kirkwood turns a piece of Nappanee’s sidewalk into a work of art on Saturday, July 14. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Nappanee resident Courtney Seaver spray paints a van during her hometown’s “Embrace the Pace Days” on Saturday, July 14. Seaver and others took advantage of an invitation to help decorate the van with a multitude of colors and designs. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

Vendors tents were set up in the parking lot of Coppes Commons in Nappanee, offering a variety of antiques, wares and produce during the town’s Embrace the Pace Days. (Photo by Keith Knepp)