FROM STAFF REPORTS
CONCORD – The City of Concord and El Puente Hispano are excited to welcome visitors and residents to Downtown Concord for the Second Annual Concord International Festival on Saturday, October 1st. In just ten days, Downtown Concord will transform into a world mosaic of diverse countries and cultures where visitors can experience international food, music, dance, crafts, games and more.
The festival takes place on Saturday, October 1st from 12pm to 6pm in Downtown Concord, with activities along Union Street and Cabarrus Avenue. There will be live music and dance performances, cultural performances, arts and crafts and merchandise vendors, international food and beverages and a children’s zone with globally inspired games. This year, the festival will have more than 60 vendors and more than 40 countries and cultures will be represented. In the children’s area there will be traditional games from countries such as China, Australia, Greece, United Kingdom, Mexico, Israel and India.
People are also reading…
The event is free and there will be activities for all ages to enjoy thanks to sponsors: Hispanic Federation, Telemundo Charlotte, Elevation Church, Cabarrus Arts Council, Eli Lilly, Cabarrus Health Alliance, Cabarrus Brewing Company, Transdev, F&M Bank, Ben Mynatt Family of Representations.
No party is complete without live music and dancing. Performances throughout the day include:
Banna, Celtic music from Ireland
Nrityangan Cultural Academy, Bollywood dances from India
Chinelos de Morelos Group, Chinelos Dance from Mexico
NC Brazilian Arts Project, Samba from Brazil
Tropical Fury, music from Latin America
Kenya Safari Acrobats, cultural and circus acts from Africa
Nritya Dhwani School of Performing Arts, Sattriya Nritya from India
Thundering Wave Martial Arts, Chinese Lion Dance
NEW! This year’s festival will also have a competition for the best cultural stand and traditional dress. Cultural booths do not sell goods, but rather showcase the traditions and cultures of their country through ethnic elements and information. Booths will be judged based on creativity, impact and how well they present information about their country. El Puente Hispano is sponsoring the awards; the first place booth will receive $500 and the second place booth will receive $300. Representatives from Eli Lilly, Elevation Church, the Hispanic Federation and the City of Concord will judge the booths.
There will also be a $200 prize for the best traditional costume with all festival goers eligible to win!
The winners will be announced on the main stage at 5:00 p.m
Check out the festival map here.
City of Concord
Road Closures: To accommodate the festival, road closures in Downtown Concord will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, October 1. Union Street will be closed between Killarney Avenue North East and Corban Avenue. Cabarrus Avenue will be closed between Southwest Market Street and Church Street. Roads will reopen at 7:00 p.m
Parking: There is free parking throughout Downtown Concord, including in the Brian Hiatt Municipal Parking Deck at 28 Cabarrus Ave West. The Union Street entrance to the municipal parking deck will be closed during the festival, traffic must enter the parking deck from Cabarrus Avenue. There is also free parking in the county parking deck at the corner of Corban Street and Spring Street, and in the Bicentennial parking lot and the County parking lot, both located off Church Street.
Be sure to visit the festival website at concordinternationalfestival.com and follow the hashtags #ConcordFest and #ConcordInternationalFestival on social media for more details on the event.
