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OREM — The third annual African Heritage Festival is returning to University Place in Orem this weekend to showcase a variety of African cultures from over 20 different countries.
The free festival is Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy storytelling, music, dance, poetry, art, cultural activities and vendors — ranging from Conolese Cafe and Best of Africa performance group to a "kid's zone" with free children's books to take home.
The festival is organized by Ngoma y'Africa Cultural Center, a nonprofit that preserves African cultures and provides a support network for Utah families of African descent. Last year the festival saw about 3,500 attendees and organizers hope to see 5,000 this year.
"The African Heritage festival is an annual celebration that not only gathers members of the African diaspora in Utah, but is also a space and occasion for people to come and experience African culture," Ngoma y'Africa Executive Director Yvonne Nsabimana said in a video promoting the event.