SUPER SATURDAY: Columbia International Festival, Bark to the Park draw big crowds (+ videos)
It’s proving to be a small world, after all, at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds this weekend where the global sights, sounds, flavors and cultures of the world are being showcased at the 20th anniversary of the Columbia International Festival.
The festival was just one of the many popular events being held on another Super Saturday in the Midlands.
The popular International Festival, which runs Saturday and Sunday, again is drawing hundreds to the Cantey Building and surrounding grounds as residents embrace the area’s diverse backgrounds, many of which are being reflected by guests and presenters alike.
“People come here to enjoy the world’s cultures,” said long-time festival director Raj Aluri. “Many come here to celebrate their own cultures and enjoy others as well.”
This year’s event is focusing on the Philippine and South Pacific Islands, but the weekend activities feature a range of stage shows, exhibits, artwork and authentic cuisine from more than 60 cultures across the globe.
In addition to the main stage where several cultural dances are being performed, various fashions of the world are on display along with various international merchandise that is up for sale.
Aluri said the world’s diversity is reflected heavily in the local community, noting some 200 cultures representing 75 languages are present in the Columbia area.
“We are a very multi-cultural community and society,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for us to appreciate each others’ culture and backgrounds.”
West Columbia resident Darlene Cox said the festival gives her a welcome opportunity to enjoy entertainment from different countries in one location.
The festival continues through 6 p.m. Sunday.
Bark to the Park
Droves of canines – all quite well behaved – ushered their owners and other animal lovers to Finlay Park on Saturday morning for Columbia’s annual Bark to the Park walk.
The annual Pawmetto Lifeline fundraiser supports the agency’s efforts to help save homeless pets across the Midlands.
Charlie and Kristi Barber of Columbia and their dogs, Winnie and Wylie, were among the 1,700 registered participants in the morning event that included a 11/2-mile walk around the park along Richland, Calhoun, Gadsden, Lady and Lincoln streets. The walk was followed by a long list of pet-friendly activities inside the park, including games, dog tricks, displays, vendors and more.
The Barbers were talking part in Bark to the Park for the first time this year.
“We just thought it was such a great event,” Charlie Barber said. “There are so many dogs that need rescuing.”
While many participants took part individually, scores more entered as teams. Collectively, they were expressing their support for the more than 17,000 dogs and and cats that enter municipal shelters in Richland and Lexington counties each year.
Supporters hope that efforts like Saturday’s will significantly reduce the number of animals that much be euthanized each year due to lack of space and resources. The long-term goal is to transform the Midlands into a no-kill community, meaning no healthy adoptable pet is euthanized just because it it homeless.
This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 12:26 PM with the headline "SUPER SATURDAY: Columbia International Festival, Bark to the Park draw big crowds (+ videos)."