The annual Skokie Festival of Cultures will bring its annual parade of cultural groups, dance and music performances, display booths, interactive events, food, drink and more to Oakton Park on May 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
The opening ceremony will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. with contingents from every culture parading into the event area and being introduced onstage.
Throughout the open hours, visitors can browse booths from many cultures, which offer carvings, costumes, art, cultural artifacts and more on display. Some offer interactive features, such as volunteers who will draw decorative mehndi on visitors’ hands.
Entertainment from dance and music troupes, as well as demonstrations of martial arts, will take place onstage throughout both days, and vendors will offer food and drink.
“Not only will visitors to the festival experience dozens of cultural booths,” said Festival Chairwoman Aryn Fletcher, “attendees will also enjoy two days of ethnic folk music and dance, a wide range of food, and unique arts and crafts.”
There will be a children’s game and activity area.
A festival finale will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The festival, which is free to attend, is held at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie. There is a free parking lot onsite, but overflow parking can be found north of Oakton Street.
It is presented by the Skokie Park District, Village of Skokie, Skokie Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Skokie Public Library.
