Cultures from across the globe will be on display this weekend at the Columbus International Festival.

More than 60 ethnicities will be represented as the festival celebrates its 48th anniversary. The United Nations Association of the United States of America Columbus Chapter is organizing the event.

“Our main goal is to have 60 countries under one roof, for two days, peacefully accepting each other’s culture,” said Sandy Keiderling, chairwoman of the CIF.

The festival will feature 170 exhibits including ethnic food, entertainment and cultural displays. Folk dance lessons and a health fair, featuring free health screenings, will also take place.

“We’re living in such a global society. People are so close to each other and they need to understand each other,” Keiderling said. “It’s wonderful to have this opportunity right here in Ohio.”

The festival began with just five display tables and now features more than 15,000 participants a year.

“People will get to see what we’re all about,” said Carla De Pozzio, UNA-USA intern and sophomore in international studies and French. “I’m excited because Argentineans and Bolivians will be there and my family is from South America.”

The event is the UNA-USA’s biggest festival of the year, De Pozzio said.

The event’s theme is “We all smile in the same language.” It is important for everyone to attend in order for people to understand each other, said Barbara Thompson, exhibitor chairwoman of the CIF.

“It helps to understand the people we live and work with,” Thompson said. “Diversity is beautiful and so is the peace. I basically think people want peace no matter where they live.”

The OSU Turkish Students Association and Turkish American Association of Ohio will ensure that Turkey is represented for the 32nd consecutive year.

“People that come to the festival will enjoy the tastes of different countries and cultures in terms of their food, crafts, music, dance, heritage and identity,” said Cem Guner, TSA president and a senior in industrial and systems engineering.

The festival will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Veteran’s Memorial Hall located at 300 W. Broad St. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.