10,000 or more expected for Skokie’s Festival of Cultures — a weekend-long display of dance, music from across the globe

Traditional Filipino dances, Russian choir performances, Hawaiian ukulele sets and South Korean martial art demonstrations. 

Those are just a few examples of the 51 unique showcases planned to take place this weekend during Skokie’s 34th Annual Festival of Cultures. 

The two-day event — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St. — will celebrate 34 different cultures with a range of food, music, exhibitions and other attractions. 

The festival is free for all to attend; though parents must pay $5 to enter the kid’s area that will feature a bounce house, crafts and other activities, said Aryn Fletcher, the festival’s chairperson and Skokie Park District’s manager of the Oakton Center.

“It’s intended to celebrate, educate and honor diverse cultures represented in our community, and to do so in a welcoming and inclusive environment,” Fletcher said. 

Fletcher, who is in her fifth year organizing the festival, noted this year’s lineup will be slightly larger than last year’s, which drew about 10,000 people, as groups representing seven additional cultures are set to join this weekend. 

Participating cultures span nearly every continent, representing countries ranging from Azerbaijan and Belize to Cameroon, Germany, India, Israel, Iraq, Japan and Tibet.

Members of various communities do not have to be Skokie residents to reach out to the Skokie Park District about getting involved with the festival, Fletcher said. Representatives from community centers amd organizations from all over the area have reached out to participate, she said.

Visitors who attend this weekend can receive a Passport to the World, which will provide an official schedule and map to the different booths and stages. 

An opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday to kick it all off, and the annual event will wrap with a Festival of Colors at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, where all attendees will be welcome to dance and throw colors, Fletcher said. 

The festival, which is facilitated by the Skokie Park District and the Village of Skokie, is largely made possible by a “generous grant” from the Illinois Arts Council, a news release from the park district noted. 

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