International Folk Festival returns to downtown Fayetteville. Here's what you need to know
This weekend, the International Folk Festival, Fayetteville’s celebration of the area’s cultures and diversity, is returning to downtown after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
In its 44th year, the three-day event is expected to draw as many as 75,000 attendees to Festival Park and downtown Fayetteville. The festival is free to attend.
"We're just super excited about the festival," said Antonio Renteria, director of operations at the Arts Council of Fayetteville. "The community is energized and ready to see things happening. The International Folk Festival just plays such an important role in bringing the community together and showcasing the diversity of Fayetteville."
The festival begins 6 p.m. Friday with a Fourth Friday kick-off and heritage exhibit opening reception.
The Around the World Run at 7 a.m. Saturday is followed by the Parade of Nations at 9 a.m., a parade representing dozens of international cultures.
"The parade is a blast," Renteria said. "We typically have partnerships from over 30 different partners, nations, cultural groups that come out to represent."
Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday will bring international food, about 60 arts and craft vendors, performances and a kids' area.
World of Wonder Youth, the kid's area, will include arts and crafts from different nations, a climbing wall, rotating performances, magicians and stilt walkers, according to Renteria.
What kind of food will be at the International Folk Festival?
The festival’s food offerings are known to transport the tastebuds. Food from around the world will be available to purchase from about 20 booths representing different cultures.
Attendees can enjoy Peruvian foods like arroz con pollo, ceviche and empanadas; Okinawan sushi rolls and chicken skewers; and French macarons.
Pancit bihon, or fried rice noodles, and lumpia, a type of fried spring roll, will be found at the Filipino booth. Caribbean jerk chicken nachos and braised oxtail; Puerto Rican crab empanadas; and Haitian fried pork, called griot, with rice, beans and spicy slaw will be served.
Don’t skip dessert — treats like lemon pie, maple pecan pie and a pumpkin pie crumble will be sold by the slice.
International cuisine plays a role in bringing the community together to celebrate the different cultures in Fayetteville.
"Our festival has always brought the community together to interact with different cultures and celebrate what makes us unique,” Bob Pinson, Interim President and CEO of the Arts Council, said in a news release.
Food, dining and business reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: International Folk Festival returns to downtown Fayetteville
