Haywood County Arts Council will hold International Festival Day in downtown Waynesville on July 21, a new date from previous years.

International Festival Day is the highlight of regional performances by international folk dancers and musicians from Folkmoot USA, which take place July 19-July 29.

On July 21, downtown Waynesville will be teeming with more than 100 artists, craftsmen, and international guests selling a wide range of art and craft. Art lovers can browse booths filled with handcrafted items and even catch a demonstration or two by artisans including flame workers, potters, and woodworkers.

From Russian nesting dolls and Vietnamese embroidery to Seagrove pottery and traditional Appalachian baskets, festival-goers will find treasures at every stop.

The international festivities also include food courts at each end of Main Street featuring a variety of choices including Greek gyros, Asian spring rolls, French crepes, beignets, Caribbean shawarmas, fajitas, and – a North Carolina staple –pulled pork barbeque.

The Passport to the Arts children’s area, located in the United Community Bank parking lot, issues “passports” to expedite “travel” for youngsters to countries like Austria, Togo, Ecuador, and Japan where they create crafts unique to the country. Examples of crafts include rain sticks, abstract inkblots, fiesta Headdresses, finger knitting, origami, and more.

International Festival Day’s scheduled entertainment includes the Celtic rock group, Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans, international dancers and musicians from Folkmoot USA, student performers from the Haywood County Arts Council’s Junior Appalachian Musicians program, the Smoky Mountain Stompers, Honey Holler, Appalachian dance and music, plus more. The lively cultural exchange takes place at staging areas near the old Courthouse and just beyond Town Hall at opposite ends of Main Street. Performers move along the street and present impromptu performances throughout the day.

For more information about International Festival Day and other arts events and programming, visit the Haywood County Arts Council web site at www.haywoodarts.org or call the Arts Council at 828.452.0593. For ticket information about Folkmoot USA performances in Western North Carolina during July, visit the web site at www.folkmootusa.org, call 828.452.2997 or call toll free 1-877-FOLK-USA.