Chattanooga State’s International Community Outreach Office in partnership with the Chattanooga Market, City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County will co-host Chattanooga’s 19th annual Culture Fest, the area’s premier showcase of international communities and largest annual celebration of local cultures.

The event will take place Sunday, Oct. 7 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the First Tennessee Pavilion, located at 1801 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN. Admission is free.

Featured activities and entertainment will include live performances from local cultural groups, a Parade of Nations, multicultural displays from 18 countries, dance contest and an exhibition of culturally-themed art. Additional opportunities to learn about other cultures will be presented at display booths coordinated by ChattState’s Cultural Ambassadors and International Achievers. More than 200 local multicultural leaders, speaking 30 languages and representing 65 countries will be in attendance. Culture Fest will be providing awards for outstanding representatives in the following categories:

• Best delegation in the Parade of Nations
• Best cultural display booth
• Most authentic dress in the multicultural fashion show

Culture Fest aims to positively impact local perceptions about the value of diversity, equity and inclusion within our community and to provide support for our international students at Chattanooga State Community College. The event provides opportunities for diverse populations in our region to strengthen their own communities by engaging in activities focus on education, workforce development, and civic engagement.

At Chattanooga State, Institutional Student Learning Outcomes, better known as ISLO, are the broad skills that students are expected to learn at Chattanooga State. They are based on skills that employers say they are looking for in employees. One of the seven ISLO skills focuses on global and cultural awareness to help our students better understand how to communicate across cultures and respect different ways of doing things. Additionally, Culture Fest encourages these broad skills by offering a co-curricular program to instructors and teachers across the region, to help students to understand the world and how it connects to life at home.

For cultural displays, volunteer opportunities or the international outreach initiatives, please contact Gladys Pineda-Loher at gladys.pineda-loher@chattanoogastate.edu

For information about vendor sales please contact Steve Brehm at steve.brehm@chattanoogamarket.org

Visit www.culturefestcha.orgfor more information about the festival.