Wet weather is predicted to give way to sunshine Saturday, just in time for the 16th Amani Festival to take over downtown Carlisle.
With a theme of “Plant Peace, Harvest Harmony,” organizers are anticipating a large turnout for the 2011 event – which will feature more than 50 vendors, in addition to culturally diverse entertainment by ethnic singers, musicians, dancers and local organizations.
“It’s going to be a really full festival,” Amani Chairperson Joy Varner said Wednesday. “Right now, it’s looking good.”
Amani, a multicultural event in downtown Carlisle, was held every year for 14 years, until 2009.
Citing the need to bring on new, fresh board members, organizers canceled the event then, but it made a return last year, with more than 60 vendors showing up to tout their wares at the 2010 event.
“Last year, we had 10,000 or more people. So if the weather holds out, we’re expecting the same, or maybe a little better,” Varner said, noting that new this year, the festival will feature two main stages – Main Stage West and Main Stage East – in addition to two peripheral stages.
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