Columbia International Festival returns in 2021

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The Columbia International Festival returns to the S.C. State Fairgrounds June 5-6 with a food court, bazaar, fashion show and other events to celebrate the state’s multicultural communities.

The festival, in its 26th year, missed its 25th anniversary in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event will be scaled down for social distancing, crowd capacity will be monitored, and a mask mandate will be enforced indoors, according to a news release.

Exhibits will reflect 100 world cultures, according to release, and cultural demonstrations will teach attendees how to make origami or say a few words in another language. There will also be entertainment and a parade of nations, featuring representatives in the traditional dress of many countries, at 2 p.m. on June 5.

Admission is $7, and parking will cost $5. Children under 18 get in free with a ticketed adult. All military personnel get in free with ID, and Saturday admission allows free re-entry on Sunday.

“People are excited about the return of this event,” festival director Raj Aluri said in the release, adding that hundreds of people are busy preparing for the 2021 celebration.