Panafest celebrates African culture at Cantigny Park

Visitors can shop, dance and eat when Cantigny Park plays host to its first Pan African Cultural Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31, at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

Nicknamed "panafest," the event showcases the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the African continent and is being held in cooperation with Sankofa Group LLC, a charitable organization that promotes awareness of African culture.

Featured attractions will include culinary arts and cuisine, music, dance, retail marketplace and displays. Festival entry is included with $10 parking.

Panafest 2016 highlights include:

• Taste of Africa, featuring authentic food and drink from multiple African nations with distinct cultures.

• Performances by North Africa Dance Experience, Ethiopian Dancers and the Sankofa Dance Ensemble.

• Live music by Tarek Geraboutu (Algeria), Joe B (Liberia), Alpha Diallo (Guinea) and the Sankofa Music Ensemble.

• Wine tasting from South African vineyards.

• Festival marketplace with handcrafted fabrics, jewelry and art.

• "What do you know about Africa?" quiz competition for prizes.

• Interactive musical and dance opportunities for children and families.

• Additional activities, attractions and cultural displays.

Panafest also extends to downtown Wheaton with a fine art exhibition from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 7, at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Admission is free.

For additional festival details, including performance times, visit panafest.net. More information about Sankofa Group is online at sankofafoundationinc.net.