The International Festival grew out the 1986 Ethnic Folk Festival, sponsored by the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission and Bowling Green/ Warren County NAACP and the 1988 JapanFest, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1989, the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission and the Chamber of Commerce joined forces to produce Bowling Green's first International Festival in Fountain Square Park.
The first three festivals were held on Memorial Day, but in 1994, it was moved to the fall to facilitate the participation of students and educators from Western Kentucky University and other schools in the community. It is now held the last Saturday each September. Often afflilated events take place throughout September.
In 1994 the Bowling Green International Festival, Inc. was established as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization to ensure the continuation of the festival. The festival Board employs an Executive Director to orchestrate the planning of all aspects of the festival through the coordination of community organizations and volunteers.
The festival has dramatically increased the number and variety of performances it offers and attendance has grown to more than 15,000 making it one of the regions premier events.
In 2003 and 2007 the festival was honored as one of Kentucky Tourism's "Top Ten" events.
In 2004, in addition to traditional performances, the festival began showcasing artists representing new genres created by the mixing of cultures such as the Afro-Cuban/Hip-Hop/Latin/Punk sounds of Mandorico.
In 2008 the Bowling Green International Festival moved one block away to the newly created Circus Square Park. The park features and interactive fountain.
Past Executive Directors:
- 2001-present Kim Mason
- 1997-2000 Mark Black
- 1995-1996 Marj Buck
- 1994 Teresa Christmas
, PO Box 50996 Bowling Green, Ky. 42102 or (270) 904-6339.
