For more than 20 years, the Bowling Green International Festival has celebrated cultural diversity in downtown Bowling Green on the last Saturday in September. This year’s festival will be held Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Circus Square Park.

Kim Mason, executive director of the Bowling Green International Festival, said she has worked with the festival since 2001. Mason said this year’s festival would have some changes.

“The main change this year is the amount of diversity on stage,” Mason said. 

She said there would be shorter performances from community groups, individuals, refugees and immigrants because there are many performances this year.

Nations represented will include Greece, Nepal, the Philippines, China and others, according to the festival’s website.

Mason said a performer to look out for is Sven Dugandzija, who plays guitar and sings.

She said Dugandzija plays alternative rock, but has started learning Bosnian folk rock songs to learn more about his heritage. 

Louisville sophomore Tiana Rutledge helped out last year at the festival and plans to this year as well.

“It was a great experience and a lot of fun,” Rutledge said. “I saw all kinds of different people there.”

Rutledge said last year she helped kids makes maracas and decorate CDs.

“It was awkward at first because I’d never been there before, but now I’m used to it and am looking forward to doing it this year,” Rutledge said.

Mason said she hopes everyone that comes will learn something from the festival.

“I want people to gain an appreciation of rich cultural diversity that surrounds them and learn something new,” she said.