Although all festivals are fun, there’s an added charm in attending an event that celebrates a culture that’s different from your own. When you attend such a festival, you get to taste new food, listen to new music, and hear another language, which is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons! If you live in Columbus, Ohio, there are quite a few local festivals of this kind that you can attend. Here are a few:
-
Festival Latino
When the City of Columbus hosted a five-hour pilot project in 1996, they had no idea how overwhelming the response would be! As there was a very apparent need in the community for a Latin festival, the city decided to announce a two-day annual event. Since then, Festival Latino, which is held at Genoa Park in Downtown Columbus every year, has evolved into one of the largest events of its kind in the area.
At this festival, Latin culture and traditions are celebrated in various ways, such as national and international music acts, Latin dance and music, cultural and art workshops, and an abundance of Latin-American cuisine. Visitors not only watch live dance performances but also get to dance in the streets themselves! In addition, the festival offers children’s activities and community information tents.
-
Ohio Black Expo
Ohio Black Expo is a statewide humanitarian organization that aims to better the lives of African Americans in the state. The founder of the organization, Rhonda D. Robinson, established the Columbus Black Expo in 1980. With this initiative, she wished to empower the African American community through an annual event that features local African American vendors. By 1987, the event was drawing visitors and vendors from all over the state, prompting Robinson to change the name of the organization to Ohio Black Expo.
Since then, the OBE has been held in many different cities in Ohio. These days, the event is hosted in the heart of Downtown Columbus at the Scioto Mile riverfront. Apart from a whole host of vendors and exhibits, the festival celebrates African American culture and heritage through live entertainment and exciting concerts. Visitors who get peckish can purchase refreshments at the various food trucks on offer.
-
Columbus Greek Festival
Each year, Columbus also hosts a Greek Festival that celebrates everything Greek through dance, music, food, and crafts. At this event, you can view Greek folk dancers, as well as the Hellenic Singers, which is a group that sings folk songs from the islands and the mainland. Visitors can also learn about the Orthodox heritage of Greek people by taking a tour of the local cathedral, which boasts beautiful mosaics and pristine marble.
Those who are interested in learning how to make authentic Greek dishes can participate in free cooking lessons throughout the festival. Once you’ve learned the tricks of the trade, stock up on all necessary ingredients at the festival’s Aegean Marketplace Deli!
These are a few annual festivals in Columbus where you can learn about different cultures. Dare yourself to learn something new this year by attending these fun festivals in Columbus.
Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License
Connect with us
