What do Chinese yo-yo demonstrations, classical guitar music, and Hawaiian hula dancing have in common? They were all performed on stage at last year’s Plano International Festival.

For the past three years, the Plano International Festival has given local cultural groups a chance to showcase and share their talents with the entire community. Last year’s Festival featured a colorful and eclectic mix of nearly 20 performances from 15 cultures, including Murphy’s Ollin-Tonalzin Aztec dance group, the Scottish Society of Dallas’ Highland Dancers and classical Indian dancers from Plano.

This year’s event will take place from 11:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 4 in downtown Plano’s HaggardPark. The Festival will again offer local groups a chance to share their cultural heritage through on-stage performances, cultural booths or children’s activities. Groups interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.planointernationalfestival.org for information and application forms or email info@planointernationalfestival.org.

A new aspect of the Festival is an international art exhibit to be shown in the Courtyard Theatre. Local artists, amateur or professional, are invited to show their work from September 17 through the end of October. Interested parties may email nurayf@yahoo.com.

The Plano International Festival is a free, family friendly event that takes visitors on a tour of the world right in downtown Plano. Attendees can witness new citizens being sworn in during a naturalization ceremony, watch multicultural music and dance performances, feast on ethnic cuisine, view cultural displays, and make crafts in the children’s workshop area, all while learning about the diverse cultures of the community. Festival admission and parking are free.