Ghanafest is the biggest showcase of African culture, music, food and fashion in the Midwest of United States. It is a one-day, annual event held on the last Saturday of July and sponsored by the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago and 13 other organizations representing Ghanaians in the Chicago area. It attracts an average of about 5,000 participants each year to Chicago's Washington Park. The festival celebrates the history and culture of the West African nation, Ghana, formerly known as Gold Coast, and recognizes the special bond of unity between Ghana and the United States, and also Ghana and other African countries.

Beginning mid-morning and lasting until nearly day's end, Ghanafest is rife with the sights, sounds and smells of the native western coast of Africa from which its traditions hail. Local chieftains, queen mothers, their princes, princesses, and other court members parade majestically in opulent regalia. Drums beat out rhythmic melodies. Regional cuisine is dished out as liberally as the hospitality. Both the national anthems of the United States and Ghana are played, reminding attendees of the bonds that cement these two countries. Native-born Americans intermingle with citizens of all nations in Africa and other parts of the world - some distant, or possibly not too distant, kin. There is dancing and merriment, art and excitement, and, most important of all, thanksgiving for the abundance of the camaraderie of spirit inherent in this annual festival. This year the Ghana National Council is featuring documentaries of Ghanaian industries and the people of Ghana through interviews and narrations by both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians.


Ghanafest 2016 will be held on Saturday July 30, 2015 at Washington Park, 5600 South Russell Drive in Chicago. The event starts at 1:00pm and ends at 9:00pm.
The GNC welcomes advertisers and companies and individuals interested in underwriting the event and also advertising products. For more information please visit the Ghana National Council website, www.ghananationalcouncil.org.

Source: ebenezerantwinsiah@yahoo.com