History

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 1989 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. In March 1992 a Board of Directors was formed and it was decided to move the event to the fall to facilitate the participation of students and educators from Western Kentucky University and other schools in the community. A call was put out for an executive director. But, when none was found the 1993 event was cancelled.

In 1994 the Bowling Green International Festival, Inc. was established as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization to ensure the continuation of the festival and former Board member Teresa Christmas served as the first executive director.

The Board continues to employee 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 an interactive fountain.

Executive Directors

Teresa Christmas
1994

Marjorie Buck
1995 – 1996

Mark Oval Black
1997 – 2000

Kim Mason
2001- Present

Previous Festivals

2022

September 24, 2022  32nd annual celebration Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors:  Kayla Bitner (President), Dr. Dawn Winters (Vice President), Dr. Angela Jones (Treasurer), Dr. Dawn Winters (Secretary) Franne Jennings…
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2021

September 25, 2021  31st annual celebration Shirt Design: Christine Gmys | Virtual Art Show Curator – Jack LeSieur | Coloring Pages – McKayla Cash| Festival Photographer – BJ Jordan Poster Contest Winners: Judged – 1st Place…
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2020

September 26, 2020 Virtual BGIF presented by Vid Monster Productions – 30th annual celebration Shirt Design: Madison Whittle | Gallery Walk Curator – Jessica Snodgrass | Coloring Pages – McKayla Cash Poster…
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2019

September 28, 2019 at Circus Square Park Shirt Design: Ashley Scott | Poster Design: Zach Preston Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Hannah Barhona…
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2018

September 30, 2018 at Circus Square Park Shirt Design: Darius Lightfoot Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Hannah Barhona (Vice President, Volunteers), Skylar Wooden…
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2017

September 30, 2017 at Circus Square Park Shirt Design: BJ Jordan Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Hannah Barhona (Vice President, Volunteers), Skylar Wooden…
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2016

September 24, 2016 at Circus Square Park Shirt Design: Emily Harvey Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Kimberly Nessler (Vice-President/Booth Inspection), Skylar Wooden (Treasurer/Site…
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2015

September 26, 2015 at Circus Square Park Shirt Design: Kaela Ward Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Kimberly Nessler (Vice-President/Booth Inspection), Charles Borders (Treasurer/Site Manager),…
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2014

September 27, 2014 at Circus Square Park Theme: 25 of Celebrating Diversity Shirt Design: INI Printworks Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Kimberly Nessler…
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2013

September 28, 2013 at Circus Square Park Theme: Games Around The World Shirt Design: Rachel Clark Executive Director: Kim Mason Board of Directors: Dr. Angela Jones (President/Information Manager), Kimberly Nessler…
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