The organizers behind Bantu Fest are looking to make this year’s event the biggest multicultural celebration in Chicago.
The festival, which will take place, Saturday-Sunday, July 27-28, at Midway Plaisance Park in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Bantu Fest founder Silvain Songo said, “There’s a disconnect between black people from Africa and black people from, here, in America.”
Bantu Fest provides an opportunity to promote cultural exchange between people of different backgrounds. Featuring food from more than 30 countries, live bands, children’s activities, DJs, fashion shows, vendors, and more, Songo said the effort to make Bantu Fest possible involves a lot of moving parts. “We started planning it the year before.
Among the featured entertainment lineup are Syleena Johnson, Dee Alexander, Aleph Beatz, Amyna Love, The Isaac Sisters, D’Lux Limitless Soundz and more.
“People just love the idea of having all these cultures together. Our motto is bringing cultures together. That’s what we’re really about. We’re about uniting people, bringing other cultures together—whether you’re from the islands, whether you’re from Africa, whether you’re from America,” Songo said.
He also hopes that festivalgoers have fun and learn a thing or two about the culture they may or may not identify with and are unlearned of.
Tickets are currently available for purchase online, and the cost is $5 for a one-day pass and $10 for a two-day pass. The event is free for children ages 11 and younger. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/y5kas8pp.