Once again Rome residents get the chance to become globetrotters and jet set, at least for a day.

The annual Rome International Festival brings colorful cultures and unique traditions to Bridgepoint Plaza on Saturday.

The event, sponsored by the City of Rome and the Rome-Floyd International Association, is designed to foster an appreciation for different cultures, said the association’s president, George Pullen.

This year’s event will bring together representatives from Mexico, Guatemala, Kurdistan, India, Korea, Africa and Italy.

“We’re going to have 12 food booths,” Pullen said. “There will be an African American stand; the local synagogue will have a deli, and a Kurdish-American family will also be providing some food.”

He said the association has been accumulating representatives from foreign countries and that those representatives will not only provide food, but other aspects of their culture as well.

“There will be an ongoing program of entertainment,” Pullen said. “Those will run in 30-minute blocks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Entertainment will be provided by the Darlington Steel Drum band, Coosa High School Jazz band, an Asian Indian music group from Berry College, Mexican dancers and Middle Eastern dancers.

There will also be an art exhibit and a children’s activities booth.

The Rome International Festival takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bridgepoint Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.

A nominal fee will be charged for food samples and will range from 25 cents to $1.

For additional information, call George Pullen at 706-295-0010