Global Arts Festival returns to Bartlett Park this weekend

This is the third year for Arts in Bartlett, the local nonprofit arts council, to present Global Arts Festival, which highlights the cultural diversity represented in the community.

Each year the festival has grown in size and scope. This two-day event, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, in Bartlett Park features multicultural art and crafts booths, music, dance, food, a wine tent, children's crafts, games and audience participation.

The booths include international art, crafts, textiles, musical instruments, jewelry, goods from Fair Trade shops, henna art, and information on nonprofits.

“We invite everyone to join the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. (Saturday) and carry one of the flags representing 21 nations in a parade around the park,” said Cecilia Green, who, along with Yvonne Mundorf, is co-chairwoman of the event.

Anyone wanting to participate should come to the Log Cabin at 10:45 a.m. Welcomes from Village President Kevin Wallace, Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire, Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig, Streamwood Trustee Ann Toth and Director General Eric Huang from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Organization will follow the parade.

The Bartlett Historical Society will lead a pre-event walking tour of historical homes of architectural interest surrounding Bartlett Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. To go on the free tour, meet at the Information Tent at 9:45 a.m.

Four major new features this year include:

• A marionette show from El Bicho Dorado, a company created by Kimberly Dutour, who is visiting from Europe and has staged the show in six languages. She will perform “Johnny in the Shade” on Sunday in the Gazebo in English at 1 p.m. and in Spanish at 3 p.m.

• Ivan the Bulgarian Magician will perform on stage at noon Sunday. He will be in the park both days, amazing the audience with his tricks, balloon twisting and juggling.

• Shermanisms Caricatures from Richard Sherman.

• There will be a Little Sikhs “Diversity through Art” activity in the Activity Tent.

Visitors can participate in yoga, martial arts, games and mindfulness exercises for children. The activity tent will also have face painting, crafts and loteria, a Mexican bingo game with prizes from McDonald's.

The Gazebo will contain a Family Global Story Circle and crafts with Color My World Arts Academy.

For the full schedule, visit the festival page of artsinbartlett.org and on Facebook @BartlettGlobalArtsFest. For information, contact Arts in Bartlett at (630) 372-4152 or artsinbartlett@comcast.net.