Experience global culture at St. Louis' Festival of Nations

ST. LOUIS - One of St. Louis' oldest festivals makes a return Saturday to Tower Grove Park. The St. Louis International Institute presents the annual Festival of Nations.

Organizers spent much of the week setting up. It's the last-minute push before this weekend's event that has origins dating back to the 1920s.

"The Festival of Nations over the last hundred years has been a celebration of the multiculturalism of our neighborhood. By welcoming other cultures, we're only the better for it,” said Terry Bates, the marketing director for the St. Louis International Institute.

Organizers call the festival a spirit of unity where every culture is seen as unique and special, and no culture is truly foreign. Over 150 vendors representing 80 countries will be at the free, all-ages event, featuring different cuisines, fashion and art. Musicians and dancers will perform hourly at two separate stages.

"We have performers this year that are from all over the world, but they're actually also Saint Louis performers. They have a tie to Saint Louis,” said Bates.

Last year's event had a turnout of over 100-thousand and similar crowds are expected, especially with temperatures that will peak in the mid-80s. A nice cool down compared to last week's heat.

"We really got lucky, like 110 last week at some point, and of course we would have done it anyway. I've been to this festival every year for the last 20 and we just come out and we bravely. But this year it's going to be a lot nicer,” Bates said.

Organizers recommend that you get here early and want to remind you that this is a cashless event.