The Office of International Programs and Services at Georgia Southern University will be hosting the 12th Annual International Festival on Saturday, Nov.11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mill Creek Regional Park.

Admission and parking is free to the public. The festival will have four main events that guests can enjoy and explore diverse cultures.

Global Village

Elementary, middle and high schools, as well as home and charter schools, from surrounding counties have teamed up with international students from the Georgia Southern Global Ambassadors Program to create educational country booths, according to the GS International Programs and services webpage.

Each booth from the Global Village will have educational activities, arts and crafts representing a specific country.

Children will be given a passport that receives stickers from every “country.” Students with stickers from all countries will get a prize said Angie Threatte, international programs and events coordinator.

World craft bazaar

A World Craft Bazaar will be set up were guests will be able to purchase unique items from countries such China, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Korea, the Philippines, Peru, Taiwan and Trinidad.

International Food Court

Visitors at the festival will also be able to sample international foods from various countries such as China, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Japan, Latin American countries, Mongolia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Thailand, and Mexico in the international food court.

“It’s A Small World”

Children at the festival can take part in free international arts and crafts provided at the “It’s A Small World” event.

The arts & crafts consist of Tanzania animals, Mexican flowers, African beaded necklaces/bracelets, henna hand print tattoos, Singapore flags, African stamp bags, Persian magic carpet, face painting, Japanese calligraphy & origami, Arabic calligraphy and a global village search.

World Stage

Live entertainment will perform on the festival’s “World Stage.”

The live performance schedule is as follows:

• 11:00 a.m. – Latin Heritage Dance Company
• 11:45 a.m. – Berdole Flamenco
• 12:00 p.m. – Salwa Brannen (bellydancing) and Sasha Valentina Muna Rhenals (Tae Kwo Do)
• 12:30 p.m. – Welcoming remarks
• 1:00 p.m. – Berdole Flamenco
• 1:30 p.m. Magical fires of polynesia
• 2:00 p.m. Latin Heritage Dance Company
• 3:00 p.m. – Global village award presentation
• 3:30 p.m. – African Student Association Dance Team
• 4:00 p.m. – Festival ends

Not just for kids

Kianna Hamilton, a student assistant for the international fair said that while there are many events aimed at kids, college-aged students will enjoy the culture and diversity the festival brings as well.

“It’s not just kids it’s for adults too,” Hamilton said.“They will see a lot of different ethnicities coming out. I feel like they also will learn about different countries. You can see the different things that they wear and interact with different people. We will also see different performers and how they do things in their culture.”

Directions to the event and more information can be found by clicking here.