The 22nd annual Plano International Festival returns to Haggard Park in Downtown Plano from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 17, celebrating the food, arts and traditions of more than 100 cultures. Admission and parking are free.

Plano’s cultural makeup reflects the increasing diversity of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 30 percent of Plano residents are foreign-born, and 38 percent of residents age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home. These communities are part of a broader regional tapestry that includes families and traditions from across Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The festival serves as a microcosm of that diversity, drawing upon the performers, food, community organizations and cultural traditions found throughout DFW and North Texas.

Launched in 2005 through the City of Plano’s Multicultural Outreach Roundtable, the grassroots initiative has grown into one of North Texas’ largest and longest-running multicultural celebrations. The day begins at 11 a.m. with the festival’s signature outdoor naturalization ceremony, which welcomes dozens of new U.S. citizens. Since the tradition began, more than 900 people have become citizens during the festival.

Continuous entertainment on two stages will include flamenco, Egyptian belly dancing, Indian classical and folk dance, Mexican Ballet Folklórico and Scottish Highland dancing. Visitors can also explore cultural booths, an international food truck lineup and an art exhibit.

Free family activities include STEAM-based programs presented by organizations such as SciTech Discovery Center and Plano Symphony Orchestra. Children can collect stamps from cultural booths in a Festival Passport and redeem the completed passport for a prize.

The Wellness Fair and FitZone, offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature flu shots, vision and dental exams, blood pressure and glucose screenings, a Carter BloodCare blood drive and short fitness classes led by local instructors.

“This festival has always been about more than culture. It’s about taking care of our neighbors. Being able to offer free flu shots and health screenings alongside a celebration of who we are as a community is exactly the kind of impact we set out to make,” said Graciela Katzer, president of the Plano International Festival Corporation, who has served as president since 2006 after previously serving on the board in another capacity.

Environmental responsibility is also part of the celebration. As a certified Zero Waste event, the festival requires compostable serviceware from food vendors and provides staffed waste-sorting stations throughout the park. Organizers report that these measures consistently divert more than 90 percent of festival waste from local landfills.

Location: Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St., Plano. 

For more information, visit PlanoInternationalFestival.org.