The Bowling Green International Festival Board of Directors has announced the 28th annual Bowling Green International Festival will take place Saturday, September 30 in Circus Square Park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Festival is a celebration of cultural diversity featuring three stages of music, dance and demonstrations. Various booths dot the park offering authentic foreign foods, cultural displays, free activities and an international bazaar. Children’s edu-tainment activities abound, including piñata bursts every hour and a free “make and take” craft area.

Performing artists this year include dancers from Japan, Belize, Africa, Burma, Mexico, India and Bhutan. Several new bands will perform this year and a few who haven’t been there for some time. They include:

▪ Tuatha Dea dubbed “The Eclectic Partridge Family in Kilts and Corsets” which plays a blend of Celtic, tribal, Gypsy rock with an Appalachian steampunk edge.

▪ Roots of A Rebellion, a Reggae group playing heavy Reggae-Rock-Dub music for the soul, known for their dynamic live shows showing their progressive sound and energy.

▪ Armin Hasanagic & Sasha Strunjas present a mix of traditional Bosnian sevdah songs as well as gypsy and folk music from the Balkin region. Instruments include guitar, prim, veillette and gryphone.

▪ Pati Kele Drum Ensemble, performing music and dance from West Africa, the group plays djembe/dundun along with flutes, xylophones, and additional percussion. Songs are in West African languages with intricate drum breaks, masked dance and audience participation elements that invite everyone to join the village drum and dance party!

▪ Stirfry Musette, a flavorful stirfry of music that spans Jazz, Americana, Eastern European, Latin and Folk.

▪ Barrenhart, local group featuring Celtic bluegrass by David Foster (Guitar) Greg Cutcliff (Bagpipes, Bass) Hazel Johnson (Mandolin).

▪ San Rafael Band playing Latin Jazz Fusion with a Salsa flare.

The BGIF Poster Contest is currently underway and is open to all south-central Kentucky students K-12. Each year the Warren County attorney’s office organizes the contest in which students create art depicting what The Festival means to them. Deadline is September 14 at 4:00pm. Festival Facebook fans can vote for their favorite poster September 18-25 at www.facebook.com/bginternationalfest.

Our latest T-shirts, designed by BJ Jordan, a WKU alumni and lifelong resident of Bowling Green, will be available for sale at the Merchandise Booth near the fountain as will The Festival’s Restaurant Discount Card which costs $5 and saves the purchaser 10% year-round at 30 local restaurants. Entries for next year’s T-shirt design are now being accepted.

The Bowling Green International Festival continues to accept applications for vendors, performers and volunteers. To find information about any type of participation visit the website at www.BGInternationalFest.com or call 270-779-3830. Admission coupons are also available on the homepage of our website. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Mellow Matt’s Music & More.