Since 1986, Ethnic Fest has been a celebration of Tacoma’s cultural melting pot. And this weekend, 55,000 revelers are expected to turn out to newly renovated Wright Park for a weekend of exotic sounds, savory cuisine and captivating dance during the festival’s 23rd annual run.

“It really is an opportunity for Tacoma to celebrate and share the rich cultural diversity that exists here,” said festival producer Victoria Woodards, who has helped organize the festival for the last decade.

Over the years, she’s marveled at the wide range of ethnicities and socioeconomic demographics represented in the crowd. “There are people of every ethnic persuasion, people of every age,” she said. “There are people who are homeless.”

This year’s performers will be divided between three performance areas and showcase the diverse musical styles of Korea, Ireland, Samoa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

There will be a few familiar faces returning to the festival, such as Seattle reggae artist Alex Duncan and jazz guitarist Michael Powers. And there will be new additions, including Shin Pu Ri, a dance group from Korea, and an urban dance showcase on Sunday. Festivalgoers can learn about the performances and artwork they see at a demonstration tent.

“We wanted to just keep rampin’ it up,” said Lori Crace, Metro Parks Tacoma’s event coordinator. “If you don’t change a festival every two or three years and add something new and original, it’s going to fizzle.”

Also on display will be the improvements made to Wright Park as part of an $84 million parks bond measure that was approved by Tacoma voters in 2005.

“The pond area is absolutely gorgeous,” Crace said. “All the sculptures have been refurbished. It just looks great.”

for the schedule of performers at this weekend’s Ethnic Fest, see page 6

SATURDAY

MultiCare Main Stage

11:30 a.m.: Sohoyini West African Dance.

1 p.m.: Fathia & Les Troubadours (traditional French).

2 p.m.: Hybrid (jazz).

3 p.m.: Ocho Pies (Latin).

4 p.m.: Rumbeggae (tropical).

5 p.m.: Teine Tama Samoa (Samoan dance).

6 p.m.: Spirit of Oja (reggae, African jazz).

7 p.m.: Rumba Kings (Latin, world.)

Comcast/Key Bank Community Stage

Noon: Shardoba (belly dancing).

1 p.m.: Caribbean Vision

2 p.m.: Ranger & the Re-Arrangers (Gypsy jazz).

3 p.m.: Jug of Punch (Celtic, Irish).

4 p.m.: Northwest Korean Cultural Foundation (traditional Korean).

5 p.m.: Dale Russ & Mike Saunders (Irish dance music).

International Kid Zone

Noon: Congo Carter (drum circle).

1 p.m.: DASH (urban dance).

1:15 p.m.: PAYO (Philippine rural dance).

2 p.m.: Te Fare O Tamayoa (Tahitian dance).

3 p.m.: International Youth Fellowships (modern dance).

6:30 p.m.: Metro Parks Summer Sounds and Comcast Outdoor Cinema kickoff with music by the Rumba Kings and the movie “Freedom Writers.”

SUNDAY

MultiCare Main Stage

Noon: African All Stars (fusion, world music).

1 p.m.: Michael Powers (jazz guitarist).

2 p.m.: One World Taiko (Japanese drums).

3 p.m.: The Islanders (steel drums).

4 p.m.: Shin Pu Ri (Korean dance).

5 p.m.: New Age Flamenco (Gypsy music).

6 p.m.: Alex Duncan (reggae).

Comcast/Key Bank Community Stage

12:15 p.m.: Kabuki Academy (Japanese dance).

1 p.m.: Kane Mathis (blues, jazz, folk, gospel)

2 p.m.: Roosevelt Cambodian Dance.

3 p.m.: Gospel music workshop with America Mass Choir.

3:35 p.m.: All Nations Dancers (dance, gospel).

4:10 p.m.: New Life Olympia (gospel).

4:45 p.m.: St. John Baptist (gospel).

5:20 p.m.: New Beginnings Step Team (step dancing, gospel).

5:50 p.m.: DaNell Daymon & Royalty (gospel).

International Kid Zone

1 p.m.: Dance Around the World with Lulu the Library Mouse.

2 p.m.: Sir Edmund Sillary & Clarence.

3 p.m.: Mrs. Perriwinkle & Possom.

3:30 p.m.: Urban dance showcase.

4 p.m.: Tim Hart and Hart Magic.

Ernest Jasmin: 253-274-7389

What: Ethnic Fest

When: Entertainment starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, noon Sunday

Where: Wright Park, 501 S. I St., Tacoma

Admission: Free

Information: 253-305-1076 or www.metroparkstacoma.org