Celebrating culture at the African Festival of the Arts

CHICAGO (WLS) -- For the 28th year the African Festival of the Arts is back in Chicago! It's one of the largest and longest-running festivals in the Midwest focusing on African art and culture. The event brings tens of thousands of people to Washington Park over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Admission is $20 at the gate.

Visitors can immerse themselves as they step into an authentic African village. Over 300 vendors and artisans offer artifacts, traditional crafts, and museum-quality art. You can also enjoy African-influenced food, music and dance traditions that are perfect for kids and adults of all ages. The Festival boasts five distinct areas each representing a center of culture and commerce on the African Continent: Nubia (fine arts); Kush (wearable arts); Songhay (African arts & crafts, collectibles and natural products); Timbuktu (African fabric and fashions); and Bank of the Nile (food court). Along with the wonderful experience, visitors can see and hear stars from the this year's musical headliners: Wyclef Jean, Wizkid, Taylor Bennett, Wayne Wonder, and Heatwave. Shaffdeen A. Amuwo, the board chair of the African International House, joined ABC 7 live from Washington Park to talk all about the African Festival of the Arts.

Event: 28th Annual African Festival of the Arts

Date: September 1 - 4

Hours: Friday 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat - Mond 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Address: Washington Park, Entrance at 51st and Cottage Grove

Admission: $20 at the gate; $15 if purchased online at http://www.africanfestivalchicago.com.

Links: http://www.aihusa.org, http://www.africanfestivalchicago.com