ST. LOUIS — St. Louisans will have an opportunity to experience food and entertainment from around the world this weekend at the International Institute’s Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park.

The festival is well known for showcasing ethnic food, and for this year, organizers thought about how to make the popular event more than just about the cuisine.

“What do we need to do so that this is the ultimate, multicultural event that draws people from other cities and states to come here every year because they feel represented here in a warm way,” Moji Sidiqi said, who is part of the leadership for the festival.

This year’s event will showcase a diversity of dancing, musical acts and artisan demos on different stages starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event also will feature a variety of food and gift vendors.

“I’m really excited about all of the performers,” Sidiqi said. “We have some stars from different countries. For example, we have a Japanese artist who apparently is the queen of sand art. She is the person in the Japanese culture for this artwork and she is going to be performing her artistry.”

She added that at the end each day, all of the performers will come together to sing “One Love” by Bob Marley to demonstrate unity.

The nation of Guam will be represented this weekend and Sidiqi said she is eager to try Guamanian food. Additionally, St. Louis CITY SC will have soccer games going on during the festival as well and there also will be a 360-degree photo booth and recycling bins.

Sidiqi is helping put together the Afghan booth where people can learn more about the Afghan Support Program and initiates the program is doing such as opening an Afghan community center, and other information.

A wall sized canvas curated by a local Black and Latina artist will be at the Afghan booth along with art supplies for people to contribute their own artistic abilities onto the canvas. Sidiqi said it eventually will hang in the new Afghan community center.

“I’m personally excited about that part hoping that Afghans will come and leave their touch and create some hype around the new Afghan community center,” she said.

For unlimited drinks and food, guests can purchase a VIP Oasis ticket. Festival proceeds go to the International Institute of St. Louis.

For ticket information and more about the festival, click here.