Catching up: today's International Festival in Anderson

If you have not gone to see this thing and you got time, do it. Really. A valiant effort has been made each year - to the point of stretching international a bit far - but is a sign of change for those who think of Anderson as only a bland, white-bread sort of a place.

I hacked out most of the Herald-Bulletin's report for the following:

To accomplish this, many activities are planned for the day, which begins at 10 a.m.

“Vendors will be setting up at 10 a.m., and then the opening ceremonies will be at 11 a.m.,” said Ault. “The mayor will say a few words, and then the Anderson High School (drum line) will start the program.”

Opening ceremonies will be held on the Town Center stage, at 12th and Meridian streets.

“We’ll continue to have entertainment for the rest of the day, and it’s not just music,” said Ault.

Activities also include dancers, children’s activities, a car show, a marketplace with vendors selling all different types of international goods and crafts, a trike and bike safety course for children, an art show with demonstrations and, of course, food.

“We have lots of different international food vendors,” said Ault. “We have lots of vendors lined up such as Mexican food, German, Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, American and more.”

Beginning at noon, lots of children’s activities are planned, including story time on the half-hour, puppet shows, games and even tales from Africa.

“Those are all in the parking lot of Madison Community Bank,” said Ault. “It begins with harmonica fun with Carl Erskine at noon.”

Admission to the International Festival is free, and the event goes until 10 p.m.

GO!