This weekend, the second Flavors of India festival will be held at Downtown Bellevue Park. Organized by the Vedic Cultural Center of Sammamish in close partnership with the City of Bellevue, the free outdoor festival will celebrate and showcase the artistic and cultural diversity of India.

Last year’s debut festival brought more than 5,000 attendees to Downtown Park.

The event will feature a performance stage offering musical and dance shows beginning at 1 p.m. each day of the festival. The main event will be held on Saturday, with a performance by the internationally celebrated Kathak dancer, Jin Won. She will be accompanied by Taalim Percussion.

Ratha Yatra, a procession with a traditional, elaborately decorated palanquin, will serve as the chief attraction on Sunday. Other notable performances include music by Namrock band, and Odissi dance by the Urvasi Dance Company.

Other attractions at this year’s Flavors of India include: A 20-foot model display of the Ganges (Ganga) river, following its course from the Himalayas, through the plains of north India, into the Bay of Bengal; a variety of displays and informative exhibits housed in bright, colorful Indian tents; children’s area with bouncies; free, tasty Indian food for everyone.

The festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1, from noon to 7 p.m.

For more information on Flavors of India visit www.flavorsofindia.us.