The city of Chandler’s Connection & Impact Division invites the public to the Multicultural Festival to celebrate the Chandler community’s heritage and cultural diversity through live performances, delicious food and engaging experiences.

The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park's east stage plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., downtown Chandler.

Highlights of the festival include live on-stage entertainment, a variety of worldly cuisines available for purchase, an international shopping market that includes handmade goods from around the globe, and opportunities to connect with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and other educational groups.

Back for its second year, the custom cruiser car show features custom vehicles from all over the Valley. Eventgoers can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Basketball fans will have a chance to take a photo with the NCAA Women’s Final Four trophy as part of the Trophy Tour, sponsored by SRP. In addition to the trophy, there will also be interactive basketball-themed activations.

The Kids Zone features fun activities for children, such as face painting, bounce houses, a charm collecting activity and the always-popular Arizona Cardinals Experience. This area is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with face painting available from noon TO 5 p.m.

Brief descriptions of the entertainment and lists of the participating food vendors, merchants and community organizations are available by clicking here.

Here's an event schedule for the stage performances:

11 a.m. | The 8 Foundation
11:45 a.m. | Antara
Noon | Welcome by Mayor Kevin Hartke
12:10 p.m. | Celtic Steps Irish Dance
12:25 p.m. | The Prancing Panthers Majorettes
12:30 p.m. | Kenary Dance
1:05 p.m. | Native American reggae artist “Casper & The 602 Band”
2:35 p.m. | Calumet
3:50 p.m. | Jessica Maeve
4:40 p.m. | Creative Expression Contest Winners
5 p.m. | Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ

This year’s Multicultural Festival is sponsored by SRP, Intel and Arizona Cardinals. Event admission is free, along with free parking in multiple parking garages located in the downtown area.

For more information on the annual festival, email Adrianna Tušek Erickson or call her at 480-782-2224, or email Dara Gibson or call her at 480-782-2221.

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