Submitted by Carlee Mallard — Correspondent
The 25th International Festival is coming to the Raleigh Convention Center this weekend, October 1 through 3, to celebrate the diverse international communities making their home in the Triangle.
While you'll still find a lot of the same exhibits you love and remember from years past — sidewalk cafes filled with ethnic food, booths to explore the traditions of cultures around the world and over 20 bazaar shops to take a little bit of India or Mexico home with you — there's plenty of new things to get excited about.
This 2010 festival will feature a few more interactive activities. At Sophia's Corner the kids can play international games, get their face painted, create art, and even go on a scavenger hunt for stamps in their passport. The bigger kids might enjoy a full international music lineup at the Biergarten (German for "beer garden," an open-air area that serves beer) and a cooking demonstration where chefs will prepare ethnic meals. You'll even get the chance to learn how to cook something hands-on and see a dance and craft demo area where you can learn Colombian basket weaving, how to make a Hawaiian lei or traditional dances performed all over the world.
This year, 90 percent of the volunteers and participants in the festival are local. Executive Director of International Focus Clodagh Bastian said the event is a "platform for all the international communities to come together" in a non-threatening way and an opportunity to build stronger ties between the various communities throughout the Triangle.
With over 150,000 sq/ft of international dance, music, food and crafts, everyone is sure to find something they like. Michelle Boyette, sales manager at the Raleigh Convention Center, said the festival is actually a staff favorite among employees.
"People like to know where they come from and share that with others," she said.
You can find the entire schedule of International Festival events and buy tickets ($6 for adults, Seniors & kids 7-12 $5, and kids under 6 free, in advance; $1 extra at the door) at internationalfestival.org or on triangle.com.
