PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
Like many beloved community events, the annual global celebration that is Festival of Nations has pivoted during the past two years.
This year, the International Institute of St. Louis’ signature event expanded into a whole season of programming, which caps off this weekend with a grand finale at 9 Mile Garden. The event will include many of the same vendors, food, performances, and children’s activities that you know and love from previous years in Tower Grove Park.
“We've hosted weekly dinners, weekly Speakers Series presentations, and additional concert series,” says Carrie Brickey Brown, senior community relations specialist and Festival of Nations arts coordinator. The slate kicked off June 21 with the World Refugee Day celebration.
Read More: This year's Festival of Nations represents an opportunity to build a more inclusive St. Louis
The event at 9 Mile Garden, Saturday from 11 a.m.–8 p.m., is scaled back from previous years in the park. Entry remains free, but visitors must register for timed entry slots, both to maintain safe density levels and to allow for enough space for parking. (It’s possible to register onsite but easily done in advance online as well.)
Ethnic crafts representing global artisans will be on hand, including AmberTreasure, Turkish American Society of Missouri, African Diaspora Council, Illari Perú, Assawer LLC Gold plated, Fourera's Natural Beauty LLC, Fatima's Henna, Gitzell Fairtrade International, Afrimall, Forai, Ecuadorian Handcrafts, and Roots of Africa.
Tour the globe with internationally inspired cuisine from an array of food trucks: Guerilla Street Food Truck, The Crooked Boot, Zacchi Food Truck, Zia's "On The Hill", The Red Dirt Revival, Truckeria Del Valle, Sedara Sweets and Ice Cream, Wok And Roll STL, and Wayno's–Mobile International Cuisine.
And will Festival of Nations return to Tower Grove Park next year? "“Typically, planning starts at least a year in advance. With COVID precautions necessary for the past two years, we will see what the next month or so brings," says Brown. “Time will tell.”
