The City of Greer is going global this weekend with its annual international festival.
The Greer Goes Global International Festival will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Greer City Park. The free community event aims to celebrate the diverse cultures of Greer and the Upstate, with live performances, vendors and food.
“People from around the world come [to Greer] for opportunity, and many of them decide to stay because of our exceptional quality of life and welcoming community spirit,” says Greer Mayor Rick Danner. “The Greer Goes Global International Festival is a vibrant celebration of our growing cultural diversity. … It’s a powerful way to show that people from all walks of life are welcome and celebrated here in Greer.”
This year, 22 countries will be featured at the festival, including two new countries — Turkmenistan and Cape Verde. Attendees can expect more than 100 vendors, including those selling cultural crafts and international cuisine.
City officials note that nearly 30 entertainment acts are scheduled throughout the day in three different areas of the park. A new act joining the lineup this year is the Women of the River drum group, made up of women from the Catawba Nation. There will also be a worldwide sports zone, highlighting cultural sports and sports teams, such as the Rillion Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy and the Greenville Gatos rugby team.
At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the countries will participate in the Pride of Nations cultural demonstrations. Attendees can pick up a map and visit each country to learn about their traditions, food and music. After visiting, festivalgoers can return their completed map to the Information Tent to receive a special prize.
For additional information on the Greer Goes Global International Festival, visit https://www.greergoesglobal.com/.
