The 35th Annual Ethnic Expo international festival Oct. 12-13 in downtown Columbus aims to be a magnifique display of global culture and cuisine with a decidedly French twist.
France will make its debut as the host country of the free gathering, presented by First Financial Bank as the main sponsor, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days at Second and Washington streets.
Former Columbus first lady Barbara Stewart launched Expo in 1984 as a way of highlighting and appreciating the city’s diverse international culture — and making local residents from all over the world feel more welcome while promoting cross-cultural understanding. It was originally a single-day event.
The festival is family-friendly and features live performances of international music and dancing, ethnic art, craft demonstrations, and authentic cuisine and goods as part of an international bazaar.
Columbus Indiana Accueil will be the leading group to represent France along with Faurecia. As host country, the cultures and foods of France will be featured in the main booth of the festival village and will be celebrated in the Ethnic Expo Parade on Oct. 13.
“We are proud to be a French-based company and look forward to being a special part of Ethnic Expo this year,” said Tobi Herron, community and employee involvement director for Faurecia Clean Mobility in North America. “In particular, our French employees are thrilled to work alongside other local French residents to share their culture with the community.”
The French had significant influence on Indiana in the late 1660s when French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle led a series of trips into the Mississippi and Ohio Valley. The expeditions, later known as the La Salle expeditions, led to the establishment of an overland trade route connecting French colonies in Canada with French colonies in Louisiana.
Many areas of Indiana were influenced by the cultural interactions among the people, but there were a few noteworthy French fort settlements in Indiana: Miami (present day Fort Wayne), Ouiatenon (present day West Lafayette), and Vincennes.
Thousands attend Ethnic Expo every year.
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For more information on Ethnic Expo, visit ethnicexpo.org/
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