Panola Playhouse in Sardis will host  a performance of singers, dancers and musicians from Oxford’s Yocona International Folk Festival on Monday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m.

The evening’s performers will include the festival’s featured group, “Klek” from Croatia, as well as Guelel Kumba from Senegal, Rachel Coleman representing Turkey and the Middle East, Donovan McCain, Greg Johnson and friends representing Ireland, Theo Dasbach representing The Netherlands, East St. Peter’s Gospel Choir, John Daigle, Daddy Rich, and Will Atkinson, who will be representing the folk, blues, gospel and rock musical traditions of the United States.

 The cost is $10.

The fifth annual Yocona International Folk Festival August 5-13 will provide sights, sounds, and tastes from all over the world with a multitude of diverse cultures, languages, food, and musical performances.

The festival begins with International Marketplace Day on August 5 at the Powerhouse Community Center in Oxford from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.

The marketplace day will include a diverse group of traditional craftsmen and artisans who will be demonstrating their crafts and selling their wares. Handicraft vendors will be selling their wares from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will also be live music and dance performances as well as food for sale from local ethnic restaurants. Food will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be storytelling, music and dance all day, representing Croatia, Senegal, Ireland, The Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States. There is no admission charge to the market and live performances.

The festival will sponsor performances in  Tupelo, Marks, Lambert, Clarksdale, Charleston, and Indianola, in addition to events in Oxford and in Sardis.

In the past four years, folk dance groups from Mexico, Ireland, Ghana, Romania, Togo, Finland, Singapore, and North America have came to the festival.

Greg Johnson, president of the board of directors, said, “The Yocona International Folk Festival brings different world cultures to children who would otherwise never get to experience them. These musicians and dancers have travelled all the way from Croatia to Mississippi to share some of their folk heritage. I hope we can show them a warm Mississippi welcome.”

Saturday, Aug. 13 is the last day of the 2011 festival. At 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to meet at the Lafayette County Courthouse to watch the parade of international flags, which will be led by the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard and a Scottish bagpiper. Those bearing flags will be in international dress from various countries. The parade will end up at The Lyric Theater off the square in Oxford.  The community is welcome to wear their traditional heritage’s costume and regalia and parade following the performers. The performance will begin at The Lyric Theater at 7 p.m. and the cost is $10.

Rock River Foundation and Gateway Tires are the major sponsors of this year’s festival. Grants came from the Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Humanities Council, and Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow and other funding sources.