3-Day Natick Multicultural Festival This Weekend

NATICK, MA — An annual multicultural day in downtown Natick will take a new shape this year as a three-day online and in-person event.

The 2020 Natick Multicultural Festival will last through Saturday and feature shopping, performances, and the unveiling of a new mural by local artist Carol Krentzman.

The Natick Center Cultural District has hosted a multicultural day the weekend before Labor Day since 2017. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the event to change this year.

"This year, Natick Multicultural Day has turned into a 3-day virtual Multicultural Festival, where we will have an opportunity to learn to cook traditional Indian and Uzbeki recipes thorough video demonstrations from vendors at Natick Farmer’s Market as well as learn about intricate Mayan weaving patterns through a story narration by Paula Dunbar, owner of Paper Fiesta store in downtown Natick," the event organizers said in a press release. "There will also be opportunities to learn about Russian cultural traditions and view Flamenco and Indian table performances."

Natick residents are invited to visit the downtown area all weekend to check out new public art, shop and to dine at restaurants with outdoor seating. Krentzman's new mural "We The People" will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Yeager Insurance Agency building along Court Street.

Local artists have also been transforming utility boxes in the downtown area as part of the UnconVENTional Garden project by artist Ginger McEachern. A Saturday sidewalk sale will last until 3 p.m. and coincides with the state's sales tax holiday.

Here's a guide to the festival events. You can click on each photo to get more details.