NEWS RELEASE

SAN DIEGO – On Saturday, Jan. 16, the 12th Annual San Diego Multicultural Festival will bring thousands of San Diegans downtown in a celebration of cultures from around the world. The free festival features a variety of musical performances, storytelling, children’s activities, and food, merchant, informational and educational booths ranging from local to international organizations. In addition, students from San Diego High School of Communications will build a Global Village to showcase customs and cultures from India. This family-friendly free festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16 along the Martin Luther King Jr, Promenade (between Fourth Ave. to Market St. on Harbor Dr.) across from the San Diego Convention Center.

“For twelve years, this exciting event has brought people downtown and showcased San Diego’s cultural diversity,” said Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) Chairman and CEO, Fred Maas.  “CCDC is proud to organize this annual festival and bring the community together to celebrate our differences and engage in learning about customs from around the world.”

The 2010 festival will showcase music and entertainment from a variety of cultures, including Mariachi, step dancing, storytelling, Chinese and Native American dancers, Bayou and more.  A children’s activity area will be located in front of The New Children’s Museum.  Free interactive activities will include face painting, the RhythmWorx Drum Circle, The New Children’s Museum booth and more. 

This year’s festival has also incorporated a variety of cultural and learning institutions to create the Downtown Education Fair. Attendees will have the opportunity to research the downtown-area’s many learning opportunities along with all that the festival has to offer.

Festival attendees may also participate in a free drawing for prizes including Amtrak Surfliner passes, restaurant and local business gift cards. Entry forms will be available at each of three downtown and festival information booths.

The 12^th Annual San Diego Multicultural Festival is made possible through community sponsorships from CCDC, Union Bank of California, The County of San Diego, Sempra Energy, The City of San Diego Arts and Culture Commission, Five Star Parking, Amtrak, San Diego Community College District, and media partners KUSI Television and San Diego CityBeat.

Festival attendees are encouraged to use the San Diego Trolley (Convention Center stop).  For transit or trolley information call 1-800-commute (266-6883) or visit www.sdcommute.com.  The closest parking garage is the 6^th & K Parkade at Sixth Avenue and K Street near PETCO Park.  Parking is also available between First and Second avenues, Island and J streets.

For all festival details, including a complete entertainment list and festival map, visit www.ccdc.com and click on the Multicultural Festival icon at the bottom of the home page.