France will make its debut as the Host Country of the 35th annual Ethnic Expo in downtown Columbus. Ethnic Expo will take place October 12-13 and is presented by First Financial Bank. Organizers say festival, which fosters understanding and an appreciation of Columbus’s diverse population, will take place outside City Hall from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days. The festival is family-friendly and features live performances of international music and dancing, ethnic art, craft demonstrations, and authentic cuisine and goods.

Organizers say that Columbus Indiana Accueil will be the leading group to represent France, along with Faurecia. As Host Country, the cultures and foods of France will be featured in the main booth of the festival village and will be celebrated in the Ethnic Expo Parade.

“We are proud to be a French based company and look forward to being a special part of Ethnic Expo this year,” said Tobi Herron, Community and Employee Involvement Director for Faurecia Clean Mobility in North America. “In particular, our French employees are thrilled to work alongside other local French residents to share their culture with the community.”

Ethnic Expo was founded in 1984 by a committee spearheaded by then-Mayor Bob Stewart’s wife, Barbara, to feature the city’s diverse ethnic heritage and to make the celebration a tool for understanding different cultures and customs. City officials say the festival draws approximately 35,000 people every year.

First Financial Bank is serving as the presenting sponsor for the ninth consecutive year. Other sponsors include Coca-Cola, Vectren Foundation, ERMCO Electric and Milestone Contractors. Organizers say that Ethnic Expo is also made possible, in part, with support from the Indiana Arts Commission, the Columbus Area Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about Ethnic Expo, visit ethnicexpo.org.