The annual event brings thousands to the park for what’s known as the region’s largest multicultural gathering. The International Institute has planned the event in its current iteration since 2001, noting the city has hosted some similar multicultural event each year since 1934.

“We believe that by sharing food from an unknown culture, you begin to understand that culture: listening to their music, and their art and culture, all of those things,” said Arrey Obenson, president of the International Institute of St. Louis. “That's why the festivals were started.”