The Harrisonburg International Festival occurred this weekend. Held this year at Hillandale Park, people were invited from all over Virginia to visit and embrace a multitude of cultures. Colorful dresses, jewelry and foods filled each tent. In the hot air, many people roamed the long strip, some with authentically made foods in hand. There was little time to rest as dancers and singers came onto the two different stages in a steady lineup.

Mavis, a clothing vendor who moved from Ghana to the United States, set up her shop on the beginning strip of the festival. Her clothes portray her culture, as dashiki patterns were displayed on each shirt, dress and headwrap. She is one of the few Ghanaians who live in Harrisonburg and it is her first year coming to the festival.

“To me [the festival] is a good thing. It’s a nice thing for people to see the different cultures that are here in America, not only in Harrisonburg. There are so many people from all over the world and sometimes it hurts to see too much racism going on. People don’t have the freedom to express themselves the way they need to, showing the good stuff in different cultures and traditions,” Mavis said.

Mavis is able to represent her culture and her business and is not the only person able to do so at this festival.

“We Africans love to dress. We look as if we are dressed for a party, so we want to look good and to be well dressed, not feel like people are looking at us weird. That’s what makes me want to come here and it’s one that I can take away from this festival.” Mavis said.

There were just as many people who felt similar to what Mavis described as they freely walked around in their traditional clothing. This is just one of the impacts the International Festival is able to have on a culturally diverse community.

See more about the international festival https://www.hhsmedia.com/16455/feature/bani-hani-experiences-unity-at-international-festival/