Competitors will whip up sweet potato pies, throw down with step dance, get in the groove to African drumming and toss out poetic verses Saturday at the Homowo African Festival in Gainesville.
The Homowo is a traditional festival of Ghana, a West African nation, which honors the past year of the moon, sun and life-sustaining food.
"This is the time when you come together and forgive individuals with a handshake and a hug," said Ayoka Jasey, the event coordinator.
Vendors will sell African products including shea butter, drums, masks and food from the Caribbean, Nigeria and Ghana, she said.
Boluwatife Akinyemi, president of the African Student Union at UF, said her organization will attend and her mother will serve traditional Nigerian food.
"I think it's a great opportunity to really showcase different sides of African culture," Akinyemi said.
The festival will be held by the African community of Gainesville from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Garden of Beginning, 19024 NE 21st St. Competitions will begin at 2 p.m.
