The People’s Party

People Fest is more than just a good time.Manchester is the state’s most globally diverse city, with 60 languages spoken in Central High School. Historical ethnic groups like the French and the Greeks have been joined by recent influxes of immigrants and refugees from Sudan, Bosnia, Bhutan and the countries of the Middle East, giving the Queen City its title as New Hampshire’s “global neighborhood.”

Now in its fourth year, People Fest will celebrate these colorful strands and weave them together on August 28 in Manchester’s Veteran’s Park for a day-long party filled with food, music and art.

People Fest Chair Nabil Migalli says the group set out to revive the International Festivals that were popular events in the late ’80s, but that the People Fest has taken on a life, and a purpose, of its own.

“The idea of what is international has changed over recent years,” says Migalli. “Once we celebrated what was different. Now we celebrate what we have in common, what we have to share, the culture and heritage of all Manchester’s people.”

Once again, music and dance groups from across the state will perform on the World Stage, surrounded by ethnic crafts, information tables and food vendors.

Also returning is Granite State Zoo, which brings a menagerie of exotic animals from around the world in an educational and hands-on exhibit that informs the public about challenges facing animals around the world, from human and natural threats to their habitats.