Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park August 24–25

Nearby Dunaway Books will donate 10 percent of weekend sales to the International Institute

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The region’s largest multi-cultural celebration, Festival of Nations, returns to Tower Grove Park August 24 and 25. The International Institute hosts the popular festival, Saturday from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. An array of offerings will span the globe:

Food Booths: The event features more than 45 food booths, including international fare from a range of countries: Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Scotland, Spain, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam, and more. 

Gift Booths: Visit Artisan's Way to find an array of arts and crafts from more than 35 countries.  Among the offerings: children’s crafts from Balkan Workshop with Marvin Moehle, a paper-cutting workshop from Friends of Taiwan, a Japanese origami workshop with Machiko Tanabe, a Native American regalia display with Suzanne Jones, an Eritrean basket-weaving demonstration with Ninni & Genet, and a Russian calligraphy demo with Evelina Yulianova.

Music & Entertainment: Enjoy authentic dance troupes and musical performances on three stages. The Centene Charitable Foundation Forest Stage hosts large troupes, "from Spanish flamenco to a Vietnamese dragon dance, from the thunder of Ivorian drums to the lively chimes of bells accompanying our popular belly dancers." The Enterprise Magnolia Stage highlights stunning dance troupes and features performances by dancers, musicians, and storytellers. And the World Music Stage hosts "bands that merge traditional and modern music from around the globe." Among the acts: Drums and Dance of the Congo, the Bolivian Society of St. Louis, Kids Mex Dance Group, Folkloric Group Colombia, Soorya Performing Arts, St. Nicholas Greek Dancers, Arabian Silk, salsa with Carmen Guynn, and more.

Located a short walk from the festival at 3111 S. Grand, Dunaway Books is a strong supporter of both the Festival of Nations and the South Grand neighborhood. To show their appreciation to festival attendees, the bookstore will donate 10 percent of sales on August 24 and 25 to the International Institute.

Dunaway Books is one of the premier independent bookstores in St. Louis, encouraging readers to embrace eclecticism. With over 80,000 volumes covering a diverse range of subjects, including history, sociology, and cultural studies, festival goers are sure to find something to take home. Dunaway Books values the unique stories of every individual, and strives to make the store a welcoming place for all. Pick up a book (or two or ten) at Dunaway after the Festival of Nations and celebrate the richness of humanity through literature.

Visit the Festival of Nation's website for information on parking and accessibility.

This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Dunaway Books.