Kent International Festival Celebrates 10 Years

May 23, 2018
Spring, Dine & Drink, Family Friendly, Festivals & Events

On June 2, revel in the vast and colorful global cultures of Kent, Washington. This year, there’s even more to celebrate at the 10th annual Kent International Festival.

The Kent International Festival is one of the most renowned cultural festivals in the region. It’s also the perfect occasion to celebrate the city’s wide-ranging diversity and variety of ethnic restaurants, shops and other cultural offerings.

Be a part of the 10th annual celebration June 2 at accesso ShoWare Center. Enjoy and explore authentic food and wares, stellar entertainment on various stages, information-packed cultural booths and loads of activities for the whole family. Event admission and parking at ShoWare are free, but make sure you bring an appetite and some food money.

Here are some highlights of this year’s festival:

  • As always, the fun kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at Town Square Plaza (2nd Ave. and Smith St.). Join the dancing Chinese lion for the half-mile World Wide Walk to accesso ShoWare Center.
  • With nearly 40 musical and dance performances on three stages, entertainment runs nonstop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crowd favorites include Taiko drummers, Hawaiian dancers and Sikh martial arts performers.
  • Get a big taste of Kent’s delicious assortment of ethnic cuisine. You can sample from some of the city’s most popular spots, including Fil Cuisine, Thai Chili, Olive Tree Mediterranean Restaurant and more. Among this year’s new participants is Ubuntu Street Café. The restaurant, operated by Project Feast, gives refugee and immigrant cooks from around the globe real-life experience to cultivate their culinary and customer service skills. The food court is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Travel the world via the festival’s many cultural booths. You’ll learn a lot about different countries, and take part of a lot of fun activities. Be sure to have your “passport” in hand. Once you’ve collected your stamps, collect your prize. Booths are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Don’t miss the big finish. The two-hour grand festival finale begins at 5 p.m.

You can find out the latest about events and participants on the festival’s Facebook page.

Dance, eat, explore and be entertained at this international extravaganza. And while you’re here, discover more things to do in Kent.

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