Downtown Concord will host the sixth annual Concord International Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, a free celebration featuring about 80 vendors representing more than 55 countries.

The festival, presented by El Puente Hispano and the City of Concord, runs from noon to 6 p.m. across several blocks of downtown, the Cabarrus Compass reported. First held in 2021, the event drew 5,000 attendees in its debut year and 8,000 by 2023, according to city announcements.

New this year: cultural booths representing Germany and the Laos region of Southeast Asia join the lineup.

Eight North Carolina-based performing groups will take the main stage beside the former Cabarrus County Courthouse near Union Street and Corban Avenue. Acts include Mariachi Guadalupano from Mexico, Drums 4 Life from West Africa, the Oops Polka Band from Germany and Mekong Icons from the Laos region. The lineup also features NC Brazilian Arts Project, Pavithra Rajasekar Dance Group from India, Filodoxia from Greece and El Nuevo Tumbao from Latin America.

Natalie Marles, co-founder and board chair of El Puente Hispano, said the festival's energy spreads across downtown. "You can hear music from different parts of the world, watch beautiful cultural performances, and enjoy food representing countries like Mexico, the Philippines, Nepal, Haiti, Korea, Jamaica, and more," Marles said.

Fifteen food vendors will line Market Street, including a new vendor representing the Netherlands and returning favorites from South Korea, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Mexico. Arts and crafts booths will stretch along Union Street, with henna artists and cultural exhibits extending onto Barbrick Avenue.

For the second straight year, El Puente Hispano is providing $200 grants to participating cultural booths to help cover supply costs. The grant program launched in 2024.

Sandra Torres, co-founder and executive director of El Puente Hispano, called the festival one of her favorite days of the year. Revenue from the event first covers production costs, with remaining funds supporting El Puente Hispano's year-round programs.

Founded in 2017, El Puente Hispano serves more than 1,000 Latino families each year in Cabarrus County, offering education, health and support programs.

When the City of Concord announced the festival in June, Mayor Steve Morris said the event helps connect residents with cultures from around the world that many would not otherwise experience.

The Concord International Festival is free. It runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in downtown Concord. More information is available at concordinternationalfestival.com.