Local Colors Festival

Roanoke's annual Local Colors Festival is just around the corner, taking place Saturday May 19 in Elmwood Park, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year's multicultural offerings will also include gospel music and ballet. This year, Local Colors celebrates Poland as its featured country -- one of 90 countries and cultures that participate year after year.

Emcees for this year will include WFIR's Bob Clark, WDBJ-7's Brent Watts, Holanni Davis and Chris Hurst and Big Lick Conspiracy's Ross Laguzza.

Booths will be set up on Jefferson Street and Bullitt Avenue and admission is, as always, free.

The day begins with the Parade of Nations, and performances will include: Michas Polish Folk Dance Troupe at 12 noon and 3 p.m., with audience participation. Non-stop dance and music from Sudan and South Sudan, Mexico, South Korea, Nepal, India, Philippines, Ireland, Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, China, France, Brazil, Egypt, Germany and Haiti. Also performing this year: the Roanoke Ballet Theatre, the Patrick Henry High School Gospel Choir and St. Gerard's Choir. 

The National Anthem will be sung by Patice Holland, attorney with Woods Rogers, formerly a youth leader for NCCJ (National Conference for Community and Justice) and a Franklin County native. 

Everyone's favorites will be in abundance: International food cooked by people representing their countries, merchandise and exhibits. Cox Communications' children's area will include face-painting, a caricature artist, Polish crafts and more. The annual closing ceremony invites everyone to sing songs of goodwill.