For Leah Janssen, the Black Hills Heritage Festival is the perfect place to bring her five kids, whose ages range from 4 to 14.

"It's just a great place for all ages, and it's free," Janssen said. "There's something for all."

Janssen said her favorite part about the festival is the entertainment, and on Friday afternoon, she and her kids watched the belly dancers. They planned to come back to watch the fireworks and then spend Saturday at the festival, as well.

Her 6-year-old daughter, Raechel, sat in the grass and played with her new puppet. She bought it from one of the vendors while exploring with her other siblings.

"I got a puppet and a little kitty," she said. "I just really love horses, so I chose my favorite animal."

The Janssens also tasted a bit of the food that vendors had to offer. Leah said they had the usual summer festival fare - snow cones and funnel cakes - and then shared one of everything else. She and Raechel agreed that the chicken, beef and veggie kabobs were the best.

Jeff Daley said he and his family enjoy the Heritage Festival for all its cultural aspects. They have been attending the festival on the Fourth of July for the past two years. They like "just walking around, seeing everything, enjoying the good food, and we are going to go kayaking," Daley said.

Many people rented kayaks for a sample outing on Memorial Lake. Barb Schrader, owner of Global Market, said she has had a kayak booth at the Heritage Festival for the past three years. It costs $4 to give kayaking a try, and Schrader said Friday was busy.

"This gives people a great opportunity to try it. It also gives people an opportunity who normally can't afford it," she said.

As 7-year-old KayAnna Dansby Daley finished painting a duck, she said she liked everything about the festival. But her favorite part, she said, was "doing the rock wall. I almost touched the top."

The Black Hills Heritage Festival continues Saturday, July 5, and Sunday with entertainment, children's activities and acoustic stage shows scheduled throughout the day. Admission is free to events in Memorial Park in Rapid City, next to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center along Omaha Street.