LANSDALE – The 26th annual International Spring Festival will be held April 22 at North Penn High School (NPHS), located at 1340 Valley Forge Road in Lansdale, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission and parking for the event are free.

The festival celebrates the region’s multi-cultural diversity through the visual, culinary and performing arts. This year, the festival will highlight the environment as the festival falls on Earth Day. All three Montgomery County Commissioners led by longtime supporter Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with elected local and state officials, community leaders, business and educational leaders all come together to celebrate the rich culture of the region.

“We are proud of the International Spring Festival for its commitment to promoting our multi-cultural diversity” said Senator Bob Mensch, who along with Lt. Governor Mike Stack and State Representative Bob Godshall.

Godshall recently hosted the members of the festival along with student volunteers from area high schools, including Perkiomen Valley, Pennridge and Dock Mennonite Academy, in a visit to the State Capital. Other students from North Penn, Souderton, Central Bucks and local colleges all participate with their time and energy in making the festival great, year after year.

The festival features live entertainment and performances on five stages, an international food court, over 100 display tables including 30 nationality exhibits, a health fair and international vendors. Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, will be there to issue free photo ID cards to veterans that can be used for discounts throughout the county. PDC Machines, a local engineering firm involved with state-of-the-art technology, will display a hydrogen fuel-cell car that operates on hydrogen instead of gas. Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny will also have one of three alternative fuel vehicles, which the office acquired in 2015, in its efforts to go green.

There are many fun and educational activities for children, including trying on culture specific attire and costumes and playing with musical instruments from various countries. The Passport Program is an activity in which kids learn facts about different countries and upon completion of the program, they have a chance to create art traditional to various regions, as well as, win prizes.

“The goal of the International Spring Festival is to celebrate the diversity of the area in a fun way while sharing knowledge through art, music, food and educational activities,” said Dr. Francis Jeyaraj, one of the founders of the festival.

“We look forward to hosting the entire community for a full day of fun and entertainment,” added Alexa Sullivan, chair of Student Affairs.

To help kick off the festivities, a hot air balloon will be visible from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., courtesy of Phil Shin of Medicine Worx, Insight Medical Partners. Collaborators in the event include Lansdale Public Library, North Penn School Distric, Abington Jefferson Health (Lansdale Hospital), Dock Mennonite Academy, The Reporter and WNPV.

Financial sponsors include Comcast, Wegmans, PDC Machines, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Peco, North Penn United Way, UNIVEST – Banking, Insurance, Investments, QNB Bank, Harleysville Savings Bank, TD Bank, Bryn Mawr Trust, Medicine Worx, Gwynedd Mercy University, Pearl S. Buck International, The Riad Family and VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn. On-going in-kind supporters are Montgomery County Community College, Crayola, RedKnight and Clemens Food Group.

For more information about the International Spring Festival, please visit www.internationalspringfestival.com.