For the last 20 years, people from all different cultures have come together in Owensboro to celebrate one another. The tradition will continue August 17, at the 21st annual Multicultural Festival.
Held on the lawn of First Presbyterian Church, at 1328 Griffith Ave., the festival will showcase approximately 12 different cultures – allowing attendees to learn more about each through information booths, food and entertainment.
“Our purpose is to get conversations started,” said event chair Debbie McCoy.
The church hopes to foster understanding and respect for both similarities and differences to build a stronger community.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and entertainment will range from bluegrass to Latin and Indian dancers, as well as a bagpiper and Chinese performers. Along with five food trucks, Thai Food of Owensboro, New China Buffet, the Hispanic Ministry and others will all have food booths.
At 11:30 a.m., a multi-faith service will take place in the sanctuary to bless the festival. It will feature a choir made up of different choirs in the community. At the end of the blessing, the People’s Parade will begin around the church lawn. Different cultures and countries will be represented with signs and flags, and even a Chinese dragon.
“We would like to have as many people join the parade as possible,” McCoy said.
Attendees can visit the information booth when they arrive at the festival to get their “passport” – a document that has questions to ask or scavenger items to find at all the different booths.
Last year’s 20th anniversary event saw between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors, McCoy said.
“We hope this year will be just as big and exciting,” she said, noting that there are seven new booths this year.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. To find out more, visit their Facebook page.
