The third annual Global Fest is coming up on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from noon to 10 pm and is on track to be an eclectic celebration of culture and community! The daylong event shares traditions and honors heritage through food, music, art, and play.

For international tastings, food trucks will include Mexican, Jamaican, Venezualian, Japanese, and many more flavors. Two 21+ wine and beer gardens will be available, offering Mexican-Style Lager Pachanga and other fresh local beers from Sun King Brewery, as well as Italian Froze Slushies.

The busy and activity-packed Global Games kid zone opens up at noon with a giant piñata smash and will be loaded with games, activities, and appearances fit for all ages. Purchased wristbands will provide unlimited access to all Global Games that gives kids the opportunity to participate in activities such as Nine13 Sports bike rides, Henna tattoos, Gaelic Football, Hurling, and Camogie with Indianapolis Gaelic Athletic Association, Mexican dance instructions, Chinese Paper Lantern booth and bounce houses. Additionally, a wide variety of free activities such as the Indianapolis Public Library Book Mobile filled with free books, friendship bracelet making, an obstacle course, a Hot Wheels car interactive exhibit and much more will fill Global Games as well.

Throughout the day, attendees can learn about different cultures through live performances by Bollywood Beats representing India, the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance, Mariachi Raza De Bronce of Mexico, and Grupo Bembe of Puerto Rico, just to name a few.

New to this year's Global Fest, the logo on this year's T-shirts and souvenir beer steins features the Mexican nopales cactus, sugar skull, and Aztec sun god. Global Fest will incorporate a different country into the logo each year. Mexico was chosen this year because we wanted to highlight our southern neighbors and recognize Mexican Heritage month (Sept. 15- Oct. 15.) Our intention is to honor the families that make up our school and surrounding communities. CFI 70, an Indianapolis Public School benefiting from Global Fest proceeds, has students that represent over a dozen different countries including Mexico.

With art serving as an expression of culture, artist Billie Denton Ray, the in-house designer for Sun King Brewery, created the Global Fest logo incorporating art and symbolism from Mexico. His style is described as "Whimsical Funk" and he draws inspiration from Mexican, Egyptian, African and Indian cultures.

In the artisan booths, up to 20 globally-inspired artisans will be displaying their work. Highlights include Bali-inspired jewelry and clothing by Suzi Wagman, African-inspired paintings by Deonna Craig, and No See Tee blind contour drawings printed t-shirts inspired by travels throughout the United States and Europe.

Pedal and Park will provide secure parking for bikes and strollers, and an air-conditioned room will be available for nursing mothers.

"We are thrilled to see the return of Global Fest and look forward to welcoming Indy residents from all over to this event," said Chris Collier, principal of Center for Inquiry 70. "Global Fest provides a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the diversity within our community and learn together through cultural activities, music, games, art, food, and dance."

A special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Plat Collective, for their generous role in the 2021 Global Fest. The support of these community businesses through sponsorship plays a big part in the success of this global-themed event. Sun King Brewing, Kelley Joice Berkshire Hathaway, Lickliter Realty, Monon Construction, Rise N Roll, Sun King Brewery, Baird - The Matthews Snyder Group, Carissa Hawkins Realty, Donovan CPAs, First Meridian Heights, Goedde Sound & Light, IU School of Medicine - Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program, Luther Consulting, Pegg Kennedy - F.C. Tucker, Technology Evolution, Two Men and a Truck, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Evolve Philanthropy, Fresh Thyme, Hoosier Home Inspection, Hope Plumbing, Key Bank, National Bank of Indianapolis, Pearson Ford, Big Tempo, LLC, Green Loop Marketing, Newgrange Consulting, Salge Painting, The Levin Group, LLC, The Children's Corner.

For more information, visit www.globalfestindy.org or contact globalfestindy@gmail.com.