Published August 22, 2012

INAUGURAL GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 8 AT LOCK 3

Contact: Michael G. Gaffney, APR
Vice President – Marketing & Communications
United Way of Summit County

(330) 643-5532 – Office
(330) 701-8080 – Cell Phone

Date: August 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INAUGURAL GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL
SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 8 AT LOCK 3

(AKRON, OHIO) – The inaugural Global Village Festival of Greater Akron will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Lock 3 Park in Downtown Akron. Admission is FREE.

This event is a celebration of international and ethnic diversity in our community. This event will highlight the dynamics of cultural diversity in our modern urban environment, and is designed to enable distinctive cultural expressions – including performances, exhibitions, international cuisine, and much more.  The event’s website is www.akrongvf.org.

The partners who have come together to make the Global Village Festival possible are: The City of Akron; United Way of Summit County; ASIA, Inc.; International Institute of Akron, and Akron International Friendship.

The event will feature:

  • live performances by performers of various cultures,
  • interactive and educational international exhibits,
  • vendors of ethnic food and merchandise,
  • activities for children and adults,
  • cultural dance lessons,
  • a children’s parade,
  • interfaith presentation on peace,
  • and much more.

One of the highlights of the Global Village Festival will be the North American debut of Zeb and Haniya, an international award-winning female Pakistani pop group. They are launching their U.S. Center StageSM Tour at the Global Village Festival sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Zeb and Haniya are two cousins from Pakistan, and were a featured act on a recent episode of MTV Roots. For more information, visit www.zebandhaniya.com.

Summit County’s international and ethnic diversity is an extremely important community asset that can enrich and enlarge our collective world view. The Global Village Festival is an international culture festival that will help foster a greater awareness and appreciation for the diversity that exists in Summit County. Those who attend will leave the festival with knowledge, contacts, and resources that they can develop and nurture into meaningful connections.