9th annual iFest to showcase world cultures in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE — This Saturday, North Alabamians will have the chance to catch a glimpse of cultures from around the world in one place, no passport required.

The International Festival (iFest) of North Alabama is returning to Huntsville for the ninth time, courtesy of the International Society of Huntsville, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and numerous volunteers. The event will be set up in and around the UAH Fitness Center from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“Multiple campus organizations support iFest, but this international extravaganza’s power comes from volunteers within our Tennessee Valley community, particularly organizations with intercontinental influence, and each year is bigger and better than the last,” said Jim Zielinski, iFest publicity co-chair.

As a writer and genealogist, iFest hits close to home for Zielinski, who has ancestry from Ireland, Prussia, Ukraine, France, Poland and more.

According to Zielinski, the day will kick off with a Ribbon Cutting and “Parade of Nations” at 9 a.m. to showcase Huntsville’s global representation. This year’s spotlight countries are Russia and Panama. Last year featured Nigeria as the singular spotlight country.

Dr. Belinda Ong, executive director of iFest 2018, said 42 transnational table displays will round out the event’s representation and make it “the biggest one yet.” New additions this year include Switzerland, Indonesia, Israel and Cuba. There will also be displays for Hawaii and the UAH African Students Association.

“Not only is this our biggest ever year, but it is the gateway to an even bigger celebration next year,” Ong said. “Our 10th annual iFest will coincide with the Bicentennial Celebration for the state of Alabama.”

With the Bicentennial in mind, Ong said next year’s iFest will feature a special spotlight country chosen by festival goers, and the event will “focus on how the international community of Alabama has impacted the state.”

Dancers and musicians will be providing entertainment throughout the day. New performers include Mission Dance Academy, Malia’s Hula Halau and Panamanian folk dancers El Punto. Some popular performers of the past will also be present: the Rocket City Latin Band, Fitness Arts Center Irish Dancers, the Huntsville India Association and the Huntsville Chinese Association. In addition, attendees will have the chance to witness Tae Kwon Do and Karate demos.

Attendees will also be able to try international foods and purchase items from the Open Air Market. Merchandise vendors in the market will include the North Alabama Korean School, the Alabama Hispanic Association and a Panama “handy craft sale.” Food vendors will include House of Kabob, La Fondita de la Guanajuato and Alabama-based popsicle chain Steel City Pops. The following food trucks will also be onsite: Neon Lilly, Café on Wheels, Curry-N-A-Hurry, Cajun Cravins, Snow Boss, Hildegard’s German Wurst Wagon and more.

Children will be able to enjoy more fun and educational games this year in their own iFest Children’s Area.

In addition to being the executive director for this year’s iFest, Ong is also a founding member of the International Society of Huntsville and iFest. She described the event as a “community effort” and recognized how crucial volunteers, businesses and organizations are in making iFest happen.

“The cities of Huntsville and Madison have been very supportive,” Ong said. “The festival embodies the very philosophy it is meant to promote: by working together we can achieve something truly amazing. This is a celebration of the international communities that are active in North Alabama, but it is also a celebration of North Alabama itself.”

iFest is open and free to the public. To sign up as a volunteer, contact Ong at 256-824-6432 or ongb@uah.edu. For more information on the event, visit internationalsocietyofhuntsville.org or check the ISH and iFest pages on Facebook.

The UAH Fitness Center is located at 500 John Wright Drive NW off of Holmes Avenue NW in Huntsville.