Raleigh's first African American Cultural Festival is being held today and Sunday on Fayetteville Street downtown.
The free event will feature music, dance, food, and arts and crafts.
Planned as an effort to bring people together and celebrate African-American culture, the festival will have two performance stages: one with acts geared to children and families, and the other a main stage.
"Our hope is that this event becomes the premier cultural event in North Carolina," said Ken Martin, chairman of the Board of Governors for the festival.
Gates open at 11 a.m. both days.
Today, the festival ends at 10 p.m., and Sunday, things wrap up by 7 p.m.
Activities will be centered at City Plaza, Charter Square and the 400 block of Fayetteville Street downtown.
For more information, go to www .aacfralwake.org .