Weston World Fest marked a decade of cultural celebration on Sunday, March 2nd, at Weston Regional Park. Thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, support from a Broward County grant, generous sponsorships, and a long-standing partnership between the Arts Council of Greater Weston and the City of Weston, this milestone event welcomed more than 3,600 visitors.
“This annual festival celebrating cultures, cuisines, and entertainment from around the world is absolutely free to the community due to a lot of advance planning and DIY (‘do it yourself’) work by the Arts Council and our volunteers, plus planning, festival infrastructure, and management provided by our beloved Parks & Rec department,” shared Carol Lema, the festival’s founder and retiring director. “The Fest reflects the true spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and giving back to the community as we celebrate the cultures of our heritage and explore destinations we might wish to travel to or experience.”
A Stage Alive with Global Performances
The festival’s entertainment lineup captivated audiences with an array of international performances. Brazilian Voices, the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami, and Ronin Taiko took center stage, alongside dance groups representing Ireland, India, Costa Rica, China, Venezuela, the Middle East, and the USA. Kicking off the festivities, Cypress Bay’s Sound of Thunder marching band set the tone for an unforgettable day.
“The stage was filled with incredible performances throughout the event,” said Annalisa Walker, Special Events Manager. “The vibrant costumes and international talent on display were the best to date in event history. It was a pleasure to watch the audience, of all ages, clap along and thoroughly enjoy the program.”
Immersive Cultural Experiences
At the heart of the festival, twenty country booths and four Theme Village booths embraced this year’s theme, “Patterns and Pastimes”—incorporating visual patterns into their décor and showcasing traditional hobbies and games. South Florida’s diverse culinary scene was also on full display, with a variety of restaurants and caterers offering authentic international dishes and beverages for purchase.
The festival also featured local nonprofit organizations, including Young At Art’s “Good Humor” exhibit, along with booths from community businesses. Attendees enjoyed three interactive activity stations and had the chance to win prizes from fourteen event raffles.
A Growing Legacy
“Weston World Fest continues to grow at an impressive rate, surpassing all of our expectations year after year,” noted ACGW President Laura Dobrzanski. “We are incredibly grateful for the community’s overwhelming enthusiasm and dedication to celebrating diverse cultures in such a vibrant and unique manner. We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and the City of Weston for their invaluable support in making this event a resounding success.”
With ten years of cultural celebration in the books, Weston World Fest remains a shining example of community spirit, diversity, and global appreciation—all brought to life in the heart of Weston.
