The International Festival of Holland brings the world’s art, music, and food to West Michigan on Saturday, September 14th from 2-7pm at the Holland Civic Center. This free, family-friendly event features the rededication of The Immigrants statue in Kollen Park, and at the Civic Center, award-winning performers, an International Food Court, a Festival Mercado (marketplace), a Children’s Fiesta, a World Soccer Jamboree, and a Parade of Flags.
“It’s exciting that the biggest international festival in all of West Michigan happens here in Holland,” said Michael Start, interim chair of the Holland International Relations Commission that is hosting the festival. ”What a great opportunity to learn about our neighbors across the street and around the world, dance to new music, enjoy global cuisine, and shop for items that bring the world into our homes.”
A pre-festival event is the 11:00 AM rededication of The Immigrants statue by Bert Kievit, located in Kollen Park, a gift from the Dutch province of Drenthe in 1997. Mayor Marco Out of Assen, Netherlands will be the guest of honor.
Starting at 2:00 PM, the Festival Main Stage will feature artists performing Caribbean rhythms, Klezmer-Rock, Arabic kanun music, a fusion of contemporary Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music, and more.
The International Food Court opens at 3:00 PM in the Market Side room which will open up to the food trucks on the north side of the Civic Center. Vendors will be offering dishes such as Mediterranean schwarma, Filipino Calderata (spicy beef stew), Korean glass noodles, Yonk’into meals from South Africa, Celtic bangers and mash, and the best tacos, birria, and tamales you’ll ever have.
The Gentex Children’s Fiesta will run from 3:30-5:30 PM and will be held outside this year, under the Farmers’ Market canopies. It will feature hands-on global art stations hosted by CultureWorks, and a K-Pop dance lesson. Also at a new location, the World Soccer Jamboree will be held at Riverview Park/Window on the Waterfront beginning 9:00 AM. The Jamboree is sponsored by Haworth Helps.
The culminating event will be the Parade of Flags where residents carry the flag of their home or ancestral countries; participants are encouraged to dress in the traditional attire of their homeland. Participation is free and signup is required. The Parade of Flags will begin at 7:00 PM. The parade route will circle the Civic Center.
The International Festival of Holland is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be submitted online at www.
More information, including parade signup, schedule, and map, visit internationalfestivalholland.
