 Cultural elements in Kent include various arts , environmental , and entertainment events during the year , as well as the Kent State University Museum . The Kent Heritage Festival is held every July in the downtown area , coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day . The festival includes crafts , booths , entertainment , train rides , 5K and 10K races , and fireworks , drawing approximately 25 @,@ 000 people each year . In October , Kent hosts the homecoming festivities for Kent State University , including a parade down East Main Street as well as other events and activities both on campus and around the city . Also in October , the downtown area hosts an annual , yet unofficial , Halloween celebration , which usually takes place the last Saturday of October . The event typically draws thousands , largely Kent State students , and includes many who dress in costume . In 2007 Main Street Kent , a local organization that promotes downtown Kent , created a family @-@ oriented Halloween event downtown that precedes the unofficial celebration . Since 2007 , Kent has hosted an annual environmental festival known as " Who 's Your Mama ? " which takes place in conjunction with Earth Day . The festival has events at various locations in the city , such as a vegan chef competition , concerts , a film festival , guest speakers , and booths on environment @-@ based topics . Through Main Street Kent , additional events downtown include an ice cream social event in August , an outdoor concert series and " sidewalk cinema " between May and September , an art and wine festival in June , a cider festival in November , and the Festival of Lights Christmas celebration in early December . 
