The annual festival will celebrate more than 100 cultures in downtown Plano, including a naturalization ceremony welcoming 100 new U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n
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The Plano International Festival<\/a> returns to Haggard Park<\/a> on Saturday, Oct. 17, bringing international food, cultural performances and family-friendly activities to Downtown Plano.<\/p>\n The free festival, held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will celebrate more than 100 cultures through dance, art, food and educational activities. Since its founding in 2005, the event has grown into one of North Texas\u2019 largest multicultural celebrations.<\/p>\n The day will begin with an outdoor naturalization ceremony, during which a record 100 people are expected to become U.S. citizens. More than 900 people have been naturalized at the festival since its inception.<\/p>\n Throughout the afternoon, local cultural groups and dance studios will take the stage for performances ranging from Aztec and African American dance to ballet and belly dancing.<\/p>\n Food trucks will offer a mix of international cuisine and festival favorites, including bulgogi, halal burgers, burritos, barbecue, bubble tea, funnel cakes and more.<\/p>\n Children can explore cultural booths while collecting stamps in their Festival Passports, learning about different countries and languages along the way. Additional activities include robotics, coding, chess and arts and crafts, plus an instrument petting zoo hosted by the Plano Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n The festival\u2019s Wellness Fair will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Courtyard Theatre, 1509 Avenue H, offering free flu shots, blood pressure checks, vision and dental exams, health screenings and other services. Carter BloodCare will also be on-site for blood donations.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Fitzone near the Saigling House in Haggard Park will feature interactive yoga, Pilates and martial arts demonstrations.<\/p>\n Sustainability will remain a focus of the event. The festival\u2019s Zero Waste program, which uses biodegradable utensils and composting stations, has previously diverted up to 90% of festival waste from landfills, according to a news release.<\/p>\n The volunteer-organized festival also hosts Global Grooves events throughout the year at McCall Plaza. Upcoming celebrations include D\u00eda de los Muertos on Oct. 30 and Native American Heritage on Nov. 21, both beginning at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n