AfriFest Cincy, Cincinnati's largest African festival, returns to Burnet Woods Park

Cincinnati's most prominent African cultural event is making its return to the area.

The African Professionals Network (APNET) will host AfriFest Cincy: Taste of Africa on July 30 from 12:00-8:00 p.m. in Burnet Woods Park.

Here's everything you should know about the annual event.

What is AfriFest Cincy: Taste of Africa?

AfriFest Cincy is a family-friendly event that aims to enhance the community’s knowledge of African cultures. It is free to the public and includes food, entertainment, games and other fun activities.

According to the APNET website, the goal of AfriFest Cincy is to celebrate African cultures in the local community, build awareness and connect people, all while promoting diversity.

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The event began in 2014 and has experienced changes since its inception. Sosena Erco, vice president of marketing and communications, said the festival was more of an informal gathering amongst community members in previous years. But the organizers expanded the event into an educational, family-friendly festival in 2021.

This year, it will include approximately 40 vendors, such as The Fatted Calf Food Company, La Orangette, NonStop Flavor Food Truck, Afromeals, Umoja Arts, JKanule Boutique, African Fabrics & Things and more.

Entertainment acts, including DJ TiziB, Bi-okoto, IJO UGO and Revolution Dance Theatre, will perform at this year's event. The festival will also have a special area for kids called the Kids’ Zone, as well as health, job, and tourism fairs, a fashion show and an arts and crafts zone.

Erco says the organization wanted to bring the festival to Greater Cincinnati to bridge the gap between the African and larger Cincinnati communities.

"Come and enjoy a very vibrant, diverse culture. Really at the heart of it is we want folks to really know, we want the community to know and understand that we do have a very eclectic, a very exciting, fun-loving community that enjoys celebrating diversity," Erco said.

What is APNET?

APNET is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 with the mission to unite African professionals and their allies to promote charitable and educational initiatives among members and the Greater Cincinnati community.

APNET membership is open to the general public. And while many members are of African descent, Erco said it is open to individuals from all backgrounds.

For more information, visit myapnet.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: AfriFest Cincy 2022: What to know about the local African festival