Important Update Regarding I-Fest 2021
Due to ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel UNC Greensboro’s annual International Festival, scheduled for April 2021. While disappointing to all of us, this action is consistent with decisions being made around a number of community and university events in response to COVID-19 virus concerns. We are confident this is the right decision. Our highest priority remains the health and safety of our community. We look forward to rescheduling this event and making it as valuable and successful for all as possible.
Thank you so much for your support of this decision. Please know we appreciate your continued enthusiasm and partnership surrounding UNCG. For continued updates from us, please visit our coronavirus website.
I-Fest is an annual celebration that promotes cultural awareness, appreciation and understanding through music, food, crafts, demonstrations and entertainment from all corners of the globe. I-Fest is an event open to the UNCG family and the general public during which you, your families and friends can come to experience and learn about the diverse world we live in. Come explore as I-Fest brings the world to you! As an I-Fest visitor you’ll be able to see, hear, smell and taste various cultures from around the planet! Whether you’re curious about life beyond our shores, or curious about the people down the street, I-Fest is a kaleidoscope of culture that brings all people together. At I-Fest you’ll discover a “global village” of cultural booths accompanied by live entertainment throughout the festival. Best of all, parking and entry are FREE!
I-Fest is made special by the university and community members who participate each year. There are several ways that you can get involved in I-Fest:
- Host a booth
- Sign up to Perform
- Be a vendor
- Volunteer
For more information, please see the “Participate” tab below.
Host a Cultural Booth
Individuals, student groups, or community organizations can sign up to represent a particular country or culture. Cultural booths will hand out I-Fest passport stickers for the country or culture they represent, and are expected to have a representative present for the duration of the festival. Booths can decide what items and activities they would like to use to present their country or culture. This is a great opportunity to be creative! Some ideas include:- Language activities
- Small crafts
- Traditional dress
- Cultural games
- Visual displays
- Candies or store-bought snacks (no home-cooked food items, please)
Host a Global Connections Booth
If you are part of a campus department or community organization that would like to host a booth at I-Fest that is not related to a specific country/language/culture, you are encouraged to host a Global Connections Booth. This type of booth is intended to help festival goers learn about ways to get involved in global issues on a local level. Booth activities should be engaging, and provide meaningful ways for students and community members to volunteer, learn, or participate in an initiative outside of the festival. Applications to host a booth will open in January 2020, please go here to sign up. All applications must be received by February 28, 2020.Sign up to Perform
Individuals, student groups, or community members may sign up to perform at I-Fest. Performances can consist of any artform including dance, singing, musical instruments, and storytelling. There is no cost to sign up to perform; however, performers must provide their music by the deadline listed on the sign up form to be eligible to perform. Applications for performing will open in January 2020, please go here to sign up. All applications must be received by February 28, 2020.Be a Vendor
New or returning vendors should contact festival coordinator, Stephanie Guzman at ipcproco@uncg.edu for more information. Vendors should be able to produce proof of liability insurance, and food vendors must comply with Guilford County guidelines for Temporary Food Establishments, including obtaining a food permit.Volunteer
Our volunteers are essential to the success of I-Fest each year. Volunteers help with everything from setup and breakdown to ensuring an exceptional experience for all visitors and participants. Full-day volunteers will receive an official I-Fest t-shirt! Volunteer applications will open in mid-February.- Arrive prepared and on time for your volunteer shift
- Check-in and check-out for your shift(s) at the volunteer booth.
- Keep the volunteer coordinators updated with any changes to your availability.
- Be willing to help out with tasks as assigned.
- Familiarize yourself with the locations of key supply and booth locations (ie. volunteer check-in, booth coordinator check-in, and first aid supplies).
- Wear your name tag and lanyard during your shift to help identify volunteers that are on duty.
- Check back in with the volunteer booth once you have completed all tasks.
Ready to sign up? We are now accepting applications for volunteers for the 37th annual I-Fest! Make sure to sign up here.
Who can volunteer for I-Fest?
Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone (UNCG faculty, staff, students, community members, etc.) who is willing to help!
Can I get credit for participating?
Yes! You can absolutely get credit for participating. This is why checking in and out for your shifts is so important. The volunteer coordinators have to be able to verify your participation. We are happy to sign a form for you on the day of I-Fest or confirm your participation afterwards.
How long are volunteer shifts?
Volunteer shifts last for at least one hour. We ask that you come prepared to serve for the full duration of your shift.
Will I be required to do any heavy lifting, standing for long-periods of time or any other physically-demanding activities?
Volunteers who are willing to help with setup and breakdown will likely be required to do some lifting of items like pop-up tents, boxes, and other supplies. Anyone who is not able to participate in such activities will have plenty of opportunities to assist in other ways. Please be up front and honest with volunteer coordinators on which activities you feel comfortable participating in.
I signed up to volunteer but something came up. What do I do if I can no longer volunteer?
We certainly understand that events come up that conflict with your volunteer participation in I-Fest. We just ask that you give us enough advanced warning so that we can make other preparations. Volunteers will be provided with a phone number to contact on the day of the event if something comes up last-minute.
Are volunteers required to participate in any type of training?
Yes. All volunteers who sign up ahead of time will have the option of completing an online training or attending an in-person session on UNCG’s campus. This training includes critical information about I-Fest and sets expectations for volunteers.
Do you take same-day volunteers?
While we prefer that volunteers sign up ahead of time, we will allow same-day volunteers to serve in certain capacities. If you have time to volunteer at I-Fest but did not sign up ahead of time, visit the volunteer booth to see if there are any open assignments.
Arrival and Parking Information
Parking is free all day for visitors and participants. Due to other events that will take place on the same day, anyone participating in or attending I-Fest should plan to park in the Oakland or Walker parking decks. For detailed instructions on how to arrive to campus, visit Drive and Arrive at UNCG.
I-Fest Location
I-Fest takes place on the west lawn of the Elliott University Center, known as the Kaplan Commons, immediately in front of the Walker Parking Deck in the center of campus. Note that the location recently moved from its traditional location on College Ave. Please refer to the UNCG campus map for more information.
