Where can you go to sample foods of sixteen different countries in one location? Only at the International Food Festival which will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church in Clayton on Saturday, September 24.

The 4th annual International Food Festival will feature foods from around the world as its parish family shares its cultural heritage. Admission and parking are free and there will be plenty of live entertainment and games for the kids throughout the day.

The International Food Festival is the largest ethnic food festival in the Johnston County area. The wonderful foods associated with the many cultures that make up St Ann Catholic Church are all prepared by parishioners who take great pride in their heritage and a love for cooking.

Gyros from Greece, Parmigiana di Melanzane from Italy, Tacos el Pastor from Mexico and Lemon Grass Chicken from Vietnam are but a few of the many cultural dishes to be tasted at this year's festival. Many more wonderful foods can also be enjoyed by visiting Colombia, Hungary, Guatemala, Ireland, the Philippines, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, India, Poland and Honduras.

The USA venue will feature both the very American North Carolina and the New York style hot dogs. You will also want to finish off your meal with a visit to the ever popular “International Desserts” venue. Nowhere else will your senses experience such diverse flavors and aromas in one location.

As you drive by the International Food Festival on Bus. Hwy 70, between Clayton and Smithfield, you will see the flags marking the venues of their respective countries. A free festival guide will be given to each patron to map out all food venue locations, highlight the menu choices and provide the entertainment schedule for the day. Café tents will be set up in the center of the complex to provide a shaded place to eat and enjoy the entertainment.

While you enjoy your favorite dishes, you will be entertained with music and dance from around the world, including the Wake & District Pipe and Drums, the lively Celtic songs of Barrowburn, the Steel Drum Caribbean music of Mickey Mills and the acoustic pop music of soloist Julian Crespo. Festival goers will also enjoy a wide variety of dancing performances, including the Filipino Dance troupe PAANC, Peruvian dancers, Mexican folk dancers and even some wonderful Square Dancing. All day long you will experience the diversity of our great country while enjoying the tastes, sights and sounds of our ethnic cultures.

The festival has lots to entertain the kids so parents can sit back and enjoy the festivities. You will be able to watch your children in our roped off games area as they compete to the finish line at the horse derby, leap lily pads in the pond or dig for dinosaurs in the sand. There are ten different games with chances to win prizes. We also have face painting and the best cakewalk in the county. Games are for all ages, including the young at heart.

The International Food Festival has become a premier event in the Johnston county area with nearly 3,500 people attending last year's festival. The International Food Festival is open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with free admission and plenty of free parking. St. Ann Catholic Church is located at 4057 US Hwy 70 Business West in Clayton.

For more information visit www.internationalfoodfestival.net.