Norwich ― Music, culture and food from around the world will be on display in the streets of downtown Norwich Saturday, as Global City Norwich hosts its expanded annual Grand Multicultural Festival from 1 to 6 p.m.

The festival will be held at five downtown sites, all within walking distance of one another, with food and other vendors occupying the block between City Hall and Willow Street. That portion of the street will be closed to traffic for the event.

“Come out, bring your family and your friends,” Bobbie Braboy, director of Global City Norwich, said Wednesday. “It will be all over downtown, to bring the city to life.”

All events are free, including live music, dances and cultural demonstrations, painting and drum classes. Space is limited for the classes. Sign-up tables will be available at the festival for participants.

The festival will occupy five main sites along Broadway, Union Square and Bath Street for music and events.

Area 1, the Broadway parking deck across from City Hall, will host the Dominic DiPasquale Italian Band, the Latin Essence Jazz Band, and Salsa Band.

Area 2, the steps of City Hall, will feature African and Asian performing arts, with innovative dance performances by "Blooming into Greatness," and a demonstration of Sikh martial arts.

Area 3, the Bath Street parking lot at the corner of Franklin Street, will have a mixture of music, with DJ Saadiq, soulful rhythms of Kathianna Celestine and Byrd Stay Low, the harmonies of the Peruvian Trio, The Cheer Lab and the Sitar Players.

Area 4 is Jubilee Park at the corner of Broadway and Main Street. Rory McLean Scottish Highlands bagpiper will perform, along with Jay Daly Americana Guitar and the beats of African Drums.

Area 5 is the small lot at the corner of Bath and Broadway across from City Hall. A harmonious blend of rhythmic African drums, traditional Scottish bagpiper, and the timeless Americana guitar music.

Braboy said some musical performances will be staggered where sites are close together to avoid overlapping sounds.

Food trucks featuring international foods will set up on Broadway near City Hall, which will be closed from Union Square to Willow Street for food trucks and vendors selling items from various countries and cultures.

The event also will have children’s games and activities and art displays of artwork from around the world.

“Our Multi-Cultural Festival is more than an event,” Braboy said, “It's a testament to the unity in diversity that Norwich embodies. We invite one and all to join us in this beautiful celebration of cultures.”

Free parking will be available in the Main Street, Market Street and Norwich Transportation Center parking garages in downtown, along with public parking lots on Cliff and Ferry streets.

c.bessette@theday.com

IF YOU GO:

Norwich Multicultural Festival

Saturday, Aug. 26, 1 to 6 p.m., downtown Norwich.

Schedule of performances:

1 p.m.: NIA Arts African Dancers.

1:15 p.m.: Rory McLean Scottish bagpiper

1:30 p.m.: Kathianna Celestine, Dominic DiPasquale Italian Band

1:45 p.m.: Sikh martial arts demonstration

2 p.m.: Byrd Stay Low, African drums

2:30 p.m.: Salsa Band

2:45 p.m.: Jay Daly American Guitar, drums class

3:30 p.m.: Blooming into Greatness dance troupe, Rory McLean Scottish bagpiper

4 p.m.: Asian performing arts, Peruvian Trio, paint class

4:45 p.m.: The Cheer Lab, African drums

5 p.m.: Latin Essence Band, Star Player, Jay Daly American Guitar