Event: Festival of Nations
When: August 27-28, 2016
Location: Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
Who: Food lovers, international culture enthusiasts
Cost: Free
Prep your chopsticks, break out your best belly dancing outfit and brush up on your cricket stills — St. Louis is showing off its melting pot community at the Festival of Nations, a two-day festival in Tower Grove Park celebrating the cultural traditions of over 60 nations.
The festival touches of every aspect of life in countries around the world. Expand your athletic knowledge at the World Sports and Games. Get creative with your moves with dance lessons on the passionate Spanish Flamenc
o, moves your hips with Brazilian Samba or the Polynesian Hula, and take part in the grace and beauty of the Japanese Bon Odori.
After working up an appetite, meander over to the pièce de résistance — the international food court. As many St. Louisans are familiar with French, German and Polish cuisine, those vendors make for safe bets for those looking to err on the side of caution or accommodate children, says Gary Broome, Communications and Marketing Director for the International Institute of St. Louis, the organization that puts on the Festival of Nations.
Visitors can order Steak and Frites at the French booth, Polish sausage hot dogs at the Polish booth, and apple strudel at the German booth. For those looking to venture beyond, the Nepalese, Honduran and Guinean booths make their debuts this year. Boldly go for the Vegetable Samosa, a vegetable medley in curry sauce wrapped in wonton and fried, or Chicken Korma, chicken simmered in garlic, ginger and cashew sauce over sticky rice.
While you savor your international treats, enjoy music from the three stages. From international dance and music groups, such as a Vietnames
e dragon dance, Ivorian drums and Afro-Cuban music, you’ll have plenty to admire.
End the day with craft demonstrations, a favorite for families, Broome says, such as the music workshop where kids can make a hand-held instrument they will learn to play. The Interfaith Partnership also makes an appearance, offering representative to foster casual conversations on the similarities and differences in religions from around the world.
For more information on the Festival of Nations, visit their website. Photos courtesy of Festival of Nations.