LOCAL NEWS:

2006 "Showcase of Nations" Ethnic Festivals Adds Irish, Nigerian Events

SOURCE: Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

As part of Baltimore's Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals.The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts has announced the addition of the Irish Festival of Baltimore, to be held September 15 and 16, and the Nigerian Festival’s Naija Fest 2006 on August 12. The festivals, which began in the early 1970s, return this summer with traditional dances, specialty foods and crafts and live music, all honoring the heritage and customs of the city's diverse cultures.

2006 Festival Schedule

June 2-4—Polish Festival: Features local, regional and national entertainment by polka bands and more; delicacies; Polish crafts including hand-made dolls and afghans. Friday 4-10 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday noon-10 p.m., Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-879-6336, polishcommunity.com. $

June 9-11—St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival: A showcase of the Greek community featuring dancing, costumes, dishes including pastitsio, spanakopita, and souvlaki, and tours of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at 520 South Ponca Street, 410-633-5020, greekfolkfestival.com. Free

June 16-18—African American Heritage Festival: A celebration of African-American ancestry, educational exhibits and nationally known entertainment by Doug E. Fresh, Erykah Badu, and Chaka Khan, Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-9 p.m., Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-318-8286, aahf.net. Free

June 24 & 25—LatinoFest: Experience a lively weekend of Hispanic arts and culture featuring headlined performances by Pablo Perez, Willie Villegas, and Yomo Toro, Hispanic cuisine and more, Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-9 p.m., Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-783-5404, latinofest.org. $

July 14-16—Caribbean Carnival Festival: With a traditional island costumed parade; soca, reggae, and steel drum bands; live international entertainment, elaborate costumes, and Caribbean cuisine, Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday noon-10 p.m., Druid Hill Park, 410-230-2969. $

August 5 & 6—International Festival: A celebration of Baltimore's cultural diversity with music, dancing, variety of ethnic foods, and a two-day international soccer competition, noon-9 p.m. daily, Poly/Western High School parking lot at Falls Road and West Coldspring Lane, 410-396-3141. Free

August 12—Nigerian Festival: Naija Fest 2006 features local African bands and dance troupes, fashion shows, arts and crafts exhibits, African foods, various vendors, face painting, Nigerian games and storytelling for children, noon-8 p.m., Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-608-0420, nyamaryland.org. Free

August 25-27—PowWow Native American Festival: Intertribal gathering of Native American dancers, drummers, artists, and craftspeople, Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-675-3535, baic.org. $

September 9 & 10—Ukrainian Festival: A celebration featuring four dance groups, Ukrainian Easter Eggs demonstration, musicians, pierogi/pyohy eating contest, traditional crafts, Ukrainian beer garden and children's activities, Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-9 p.m., Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-687-3465. Free

September 15 & 16—Irish Festival of Baltimore: Enjoy fabulous Irish and Celtic music, food and drink, informative cultural and musical workshops and more, Friday & Saturday noon-9 p.m., Canton Waterfront Park at Boston Street and DuBurns Center, 410-558-4640. Free

September 23—Korean American Festival: A cultural program with traditional dances, tae kwon do demonstrations, games and more, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., War Memorial Plaza at Fayette and Gay streets, 410-625-2442. Free

October 20-22—Russian Festival: A celebration of the city's Russian community, Friday & Saturday noon-9 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m., Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church at 1723 East Fairmount Avenue, 410-276-6171. $

For more information and updates on the Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts’ web site at promotionandarts.com.

$ at the end of a description denotes there is an admission fee for the festival.

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This story was published on May 23, 2006.