Incoming Marietta College sophomore Kanae Yoshida, right, of Japan, interacts with a young Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival attendee after her performance of a Japanese dance Sunday afternoon at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Tickets for Trio Caliente guitarist Michael Bard’s November performance at Carnegie Hall start at $59.50.

On the other hand, there was no charge for admission to this weekend’s Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival, where Bard and his bandmates performed Saturday.

“This is, like, major discount, folks,” Carol Sedgwick, vice president of the festival’s board, said on Sunday afternoon. “You can come here and see him for free.”

There was even plenty of space for dancing.

“They don’t let you do that at Carnegie Hall,” Sedgwick laughed.

Incoming Marietta College sophomore Kanae Yoshida, right, of Japan, shows her fan to a young Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival attendee after her performance of a Japanese dance Sunday afternoon at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Because tickets aren’t sold, it’s hard to say just how many folks came to Parkersburg City Park for the annual festival from Friday through Sunday. But Sedgwick said she and other organizers were pleased with the turnout.

“They were 10 deep on the fire (performance), all the way around,” she said, noting that didn’t take place until late Saturday evening.

Parkersburg resident Ignatius Wentzel and his wife Charmaine are regular attendees of the event.

“It’s a multi-cultural festival, and we’ve got our own culture where we’re from,” said Wentzel, who is originally from South Africa.

Wentzel said he enjoys not just sampling the food from other cultures but talking with people about the traditions behind the dishes.

Incoming Marietta College sophomore Kanae Yoshida performs the nihon buyo (“Japanese dance”) style of dance Sunday afternoon at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“It’s always very interesting,” he said of learning those stories. “I think this is what it’s all about.”

For 4-year-old Genevieve Horwich of Vienna, the highlight was dancing.

“I really like dancing,” she beamed.

“We try to come every year,” said her mother, Sarah Horwich. She said she appreciates the atmosphere, the people and how well-organized the festival is. “And it’s convenient. It’s close to home.”

Although she’s from Japan, Kanae Yoshida didn’t have to travel too far to demonstrate nihon buyo, a style of Japanese dance, on the stage in City Park Sunday. She was invited to perform after Sedgwick saw her at a multi-cultural event at Marietta College, where Yoshida is preparing for her sophomore year.

Members of the Folkloric Dance Troupe demonstrate traditional Israeli folk dancing Sunday afternoon at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Yoshida hadn’t taken in much of the festival before her performance, but was ready to do some shopping around the park afterward.

“It’s really cool,” she said.

Diversity of religion was also represented, with Sedgwick’s friends Jan Sheppherd and Marianne Riofrio of Columbus talking with folks about the Baha’i faith which they practice and handing out literature – plus stickers, which they said were a hit with kids.

“The basic teaching of the faith is the oneness of humanity, so it really fits with the Multi-Cultural Festival,” Riofrio said.

“We share commonalities with all the other religions because we believe there’s only one God,” Shepherd said.

Members of the Folkloric Dance Troupe demonstrate traditional Israeli folk dancing Sunday afternoon at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Kavya Babariya, 8, of Parkersburg, said she enjoys coming to the festival every year.

“I like the food, and it’s just fun to look at stuff,” she said.

Sedgwick said the board is always looking for new members and volunteers to help make the festival happen. Those interested can check out the event’s website at movmcf.org or email movmcf@gmail.com.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Members of the Folkloric Dance Troupe demonstrate traditional Israeli folk dancing Sunday afternoon at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Vienna resident Genevieve Horwich dances with a ribbon she acquired at the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival Sunday in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Rodney Ritchey plays “God Bless America” on the bagpipes during the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival at Parkersburg City Park. He was representing the local historical site Henderson Hall. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Rodney Ritchey plays “God Bless America” on the bagpipes during the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival at Parkersburg City Park. He was representing the local historical site Henderson Hall. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival featured numerous vendors and activities Friday through Sunday in Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)