Global Arts Festival is returning to Bartlett Park

Last June, Arts in Bartlett, the local nonprofit arts council, presented a new outdoor festival format focusing on the cultural diversity represented in our community.

Months of planning, in cooperation with the Village of Bartlett, Hanover Township, Bartlett Park District, Hanover Park Sister Cities Committee, and the Village of Streamwood Community Relations Committee, paid off.

Aided by perfect weather, the 2017 Global Arts Festival was met with enthusiastic participation. About 2,500 enjoyed a colorful, inclusive weekend of multicultural music, art, crafts, dance, food, and audience participation events.

Highlights of the weekend were the opening ceremony with children carrying flags of 20 nations, entertainment like the prominent Ballet Folklorico, the Chinese wedding ceremony by the Midwest Hakka Association, and booths selling art and goods from around the world.

"Some people brought their chairs to the audience tent and stayed all day both days just to see the performers," said Cecilia Green, facilitator of last year's event.

Green said they are now accepting applications for:

• Booths from ethnic artists and crafters, free trade shops, food artisans, items whose source or inspiration is from another world culture, henna art, and nonprofits.

• Music, dance, theater performers

• Participatory activities such as yoga, martial arts, dance lessons, and games.

• Sponsors and Friends of the Festival

• Food vendors

Applications are due May 15 and are available on the Festival page at www.artsinbartlett.org, or by contacting art@artsinbartlett.org or (630) 372-4152.

Individuals and groups are also invited to become part of the planning committee, currently meeting once a month. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Arts in Bartlett, 215 S. Main St., Bartlett.

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