Date: October 9th 2008

Contact:
DFW International Community Alliance
www.dfwinternational.org/WorldFest
Anne Marie Weiss-Armush
president@dfwinternational.org
972-661-2764

ADDISON's WORLDFEST OFFERS A VIRTUAL TRIP AROUND THE WORLD – OCTOBER 25

October 25 marks the inaugural celebration of WorldFest, a celebration of the diverse cultural communities that make up the DFW Metroplex. WorldFest and provides guests the opportunity to be immersed in the culture of Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and of course the Americas. Opening the region’s premier international festival will be a flag parade of participating nations. The festival is being hosted by the Town of Addison in partnership with the non-profit organization, DFW International Community Alliance. This year, more than 60 nationality groups are participating including the Turkish American Association of Northern Texas and their TurkFest.

WORLDFEST festivities open with a Parade of Nations, followed by three stages of global music and dance, an International Marketplace, Global Food Court, Children’s Workshops, and Global Games. Children can acquire their Passport to International DFW and go on a quest. Everyone is invited to join the closing Drum Circle Ceremony.

International Marketplace:
North Texas is a shoppers’ paradise and the International Marketplace in WORLDFEST is no exception. The Marketplace is a great place to buy amazing special occasion gifts and personal “goodies” from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Shoppers will find everything from clothing, jewelry made of gold, silver and exotic woods, to fashion accessories, art, decorating accessories and even cigars. A complete list of participants is available HERE.

Global Food Court and International Beer and Wine Sampling:
North Texas is also a foodie haven and WORLDFEST attendees can take a break from the festivities, at any of the 20 food booths, to relax and enjoy cuisine from around the globe. Culinary specialties including kielbasa, bread pudding, classic fish and chips, doner (gyro) kebap, baklava, Italian gelato, Texas prime beef chili, pad thai chicken and more to tantalize the palate. A complete list of food booths is available HERE.

Live Musical and Dance Performances on 3 stages:
More than 60 different individuals and groups will showcase traditional instrumental and vocal music, martial arts and dance. A complete performance schedule is available HERE.

Children’s Workshops:
WORLDFEST’s Children’s Workshops are designed to provide the participants with a hands-on introduction to the arts and crafts of the many cultures that built our nation. Children can make a bracelet from the Amazon, create an Arabic misbaha, design an African mask and more in the workshops. Their names will be written in exotic foreign languages. Children at WORLDFEST will be entertained while learning and acquiring a greater awareness of the global community in North Texas. A complete schedule is available HERE.

Passport to International DFW:
With their Passport to International DFW in hand, children go on a global quest to explore and learn about the rich heritages of 10 world communities represented in North Texas. At various “world stops” during their international journey, they will have their passports stamped with visas. After completing their journey around the world, they present the passport for a prize from sponsor New York Life.

Global Games:
Everyone will have great fun exploring the strategy and rules of the many Global Games at WORLDFEST. Table games and interactive sports are featured in this free and fun area. Sports enthusiasts can learn yoyo (China), gundu (Indonesia) and rugby (England). Great fun awaits all who participate in shooting marbles (Korea), running three-legged races (Sierra Leone) and martial art dance with capoeira (Brazil). Festival goers can try their hand at carrom (India) or backgammon (Iran and the Arab States), dominoes (Korea), parchisi (Syria), canicas (Mexico), mah jong (China) and sanchu (Peru). A complete schedule of Global Games is available HERE.

WORLDFEST closes with the drum circle ceremony, in which all festival guests are invited to participate. Without beginning or end, the drum circle symbolizes a multi-ethnic consciousness and creates a sense of community that resonates within all participants, as young and old drum together.