WorldFest 2011, Louisville, KY

Louisville’s annual festival celebrating her cultural diversity

by Carrie Daut | August 24, 2011

For the 9th year in a row, Louisville’s downtown Belvedere plaza will transform into a mini trip around the world this Labor Day weekend.

From Friday, September 2 through Sunday, September 4, an estimated 100,000 people will gather for food, dance, music, crafts and fashion representing nearly every continent on Earth. It’s set to be a celebration of cultures—at Louisville’s WorldFest 2011.

Organized by Louisville’s Office for Globalization, WorldFest began in the early 2000s as a way to honor the connection between the city’s growth and its international population. Over 90 languages are now spoken in Louisville’s public schools, and over half the city’s population growth since the 90s can be attributed to international residents. Louisville, as the organizing office says, “is now more culturally diverse than ever.”

The 2011 WorldFest brings the addition of an extra day to the festival, now a 3-day event for the first time.

(Insider Tip: New in 2011 as well is a Children’s Passport Program. The first 300 children to complete their “passports” will earn free tickets to the Louisville Zoo and Slugger Museum!)

There will be 3 music stages featuring performances from Caribbean steel drum bands, belly dancing, Celtic song, Latin music and more. Festival-goers can also feast on food from around the world and shop at over 150 booths selling handmade products.

On Friday at 2 p.m., the festival will host a naturalization ceremony at the adjacent Galt House Hotel. Nearly 300 immigrants will take their oath of citizenship, becoming full U.S. citizens. And on Saturday at noon, attendees can enjoy the annual Parade of Cultures along 5^th Street.

The 2011 WorldFest will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day and is a free event. The Belvedere’s riverfront location is along Main Street between 4^th and 6^th Streets. Several parking garages and street parking options are located nearby, which are free all day Sunday and after 6 p.m. on any other day.

WorldFest is the largest collection of local ethnic restaurants, vendors and exhibitors offered at a single event in Kentucky. For this year’s performance schedule and more information visit worldfestlouisville.com, or call their office at (502) 574-2003.