Soin International and the Dayton International Festival, Inc. present the 35th annual International Festival, A World A’Fair —Dining Around the World.  The festival is a celebration of diversity that showcases the food, dancing, music, costumes, and cultural exhibits  representing the ethnic backgrounds and cultures of Dayton and the greater Miami Valley.

This year we honor Patrick Hughes as our Honorary Chairperson. Click on Honorary Chairperson to learn about him and his festival contributions.

The Dayton Convention Center (see map) will again be the site of this year’s festival.  The doors open at 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 16, with the opening ceremonies that include a colorful parade and flag ceremony. The festival closes at 11 P.M.  Saturday, May 17, the festival will run from 11 A.M. until 11 P.M., and Sunday, May 18, from 11 A.M. until 6 P.M.  Each day begins with the parade of nations and the flag ceremony.

A very popular way of celebrating our cultural diversity has always been to sample the many varieties of food and drink offered by the participating organizations.  For a list of foods and merchandise on sale at the booths see the Food and Merchandise listing.

For a complete listing of the ethnic organizations represented at this year’s festival, see the Organizations page, where you’ll also find information about the organizations and their booths, along with photos from previous years’ festivals.

See the What's New page to see what has been added to the festival this year.

Parking is available in the Riebold Bldg. Parking Garage at Fifth and Main. Riebold hours:
FRIDAY 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight
SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight
SUNDAY 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

There is also parking available in the Transportation Center parking garage, which adjoins the Convention Center and is connected by a covered walkway.

For information about Dayton International Festival, Inc. see the DIFI page.

For a list of DIFI delegates and committees see the
Delegates page.

2007 Awards and Prizes

Prizes to children who collected all of the Passport stamps (winners selected by a drawing):

$300 AAA travel voucher:
Lonnie Cook, Xenia

Children's Basket:
Alexis Jordan, Dayton,

Luggage: 
Ben Croft, Miamisburg

Cinema Tickets:
Isaiah Gordon, Dayton

Booth and Cultural Exhibits
President's Award
INDIA and PUERTO RICO (tie)
Awarded by the DIFI President to the Cultural Exhibit that is the most representative of the Culture Theme and impresses him/her the most.  In the absence of the President, the DIFI Cultural Committee will do the honor and determine a winner.

Cultural Exhibit Award
1st   JAPAN
2nd   PHILIPPINES
3rd    CHINA
4th    CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Overall Booth Display Award
1st   SCOTLAND
2nd   NETHERLANDS
3rd    GUATEMALA
4th    GERMANY

Judges: