Cultural celebration in Kent Saturday

The Kent International Festival is occurring this Saturday for the fourth year as part of the city's Sister Cities Association.

The Kent International Festival is occurring this Saturday for the fourth year as part of the city’s Sister Cities Association.

The festival is a celebration of the cultural diversity represented in the community and its residents. Kent School District has over 126 languages spoken alone. The festival occurs in the month of June and is part of the Sister Cities Association.

In response to this local growth, a group of organizations and businesses organize this event to showcase the region’s talent. The Festival incorporates ethnic dance, musical performances, spectacular native attire, arts and crafts booths and authentic cuisine.

The event features live entertainment all day including music, dancing, drumming, and a fashion show. There will be an International Taste of Kent Food Court with food from six Kent restaurants that include Kenyan, Indian, Irish, Mediterranean, Thai and Mexican.  Food tickets $4 for sample.  Staffing with volunteers from Kent’s Neighborhood Councils.

There are 30 cultural and informational booths with Passport Program for youth and young at heart to participate in cultural activities. A Pre Festival “International Children’s Walk” occurs at 9:30 a.m. at from the City Hall to the park. Children, grandchildren and adults are invited to dress in clothes reflecting their heritage or of their choice. The walk will follow a bag piper to the Plaza to kickoff the 2012 Festival.

Entertainment will occur on two stages to ensure non-stop performances from 10 am to 6 pm.

At 7 p.m.,  The Kent International Festival Dance Party will begin.  This all age dance will feature choreographed instruction to learn African and

The festival is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kent’s Town Square Plaza at the corner of Smith and Second Avenue (across from Kent Library). Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.KentInternationalFestival.com.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students

Former King County sheriff tells about Gary Ridgway and how the crime was solved

t
Kent Police arrest man for reportedly raping two women

Man, 39, allegedly attacked women in his car; first case in October 2023, second case February 2024

t
Voters strongly defeating Kent School District levy

Nearly 60% against Capital Projects and Technology Levy on April 23 ballot

t
Kent Police pursue, arrest two 14-year-old boys for armed robbery

April 23 incident began at convenience store along West Meeker Street; ended on Military Road South

t
Man killed at Auburn’s Muckleshoot Casino in ‘random’ stabbing

Police: ‘There did not appear to be any altercation between the two prior to the incident.’

Speakers at the Valley Comm/Crisis Connections press conference on April 16. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Help is 3 numbers away: Crisis 911-988-211 services are now under one roof

“Through the Valley Comm 911/Crisis Connections partnership, we will help thousands more South King County community members get through what they’re going through.”

t
Kent Police chief believes new carjacking task force will reduce crime

Kent will play key role in efforts by U.S. Department of Justice to combat carjacking

t
Former Kent School District bus driver accused of raping student

Renton man, 39, reportedly sexually assaulted 11-year-old girl multiple times on bus

t
Kent Police investigate death of man found near railroad tracks

Found Sunday afternoon, April 21 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

t
Asylum seekers, supporters ask Kent City Council for housing help

They want Econo Lodge on Central Avenue reopened; Kent, King County have no plans to do so

King County SWAT vehicle. Courtesy photo
Investigation concludes on SWAT team’s fatal shooting of suspect in Algona

A multi-agency team has finished investigating the King County SWAT’s shooting of… Continue reading

A screenshot of the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter view of the arrest of a Kent man after carjacking incidents Feb. 13 in Kent. COURTESY IMAGE, King County Sheriff’s Office
Kent Police to join new Western Washington Carjacking Task Force

U.S. Department of Justice announces Seattle, Kent police departments as partners to reduce crime