For two days at the end of July each year Ethnic Fest turns Wright Park into a sea of people, languages, art, causes, music and merchandise. In its 25th year, the festival is Tacoma's liveliest celebration of citizen diversity.

I hit the park early in the day, just as things were kicking off. Tacoma City councilman Marty Campbell opened the festivities with a brief welcome from the main stage. Anchoring the west end of the park, the Kabuki Academy put on live music and dance performances throughout the day. I caught the demonstration of the shamisen, a Japanese 3-string guitar with a raw percussive sound. The emcee engaged the crowd by humorously announcing "three singers and one bald guy named Paul" and thanking the audience for "the many clapping hands" after spats of applause.

In front of the Multicare main stage, people staked out their spots, spreading blankets under the trees and enjoying pizza, massive sugary elephant ears, shish kabobs balanced on spiced rice, hot wings, barbeque slathered ribs, stir-fry, noodles and cheese covered tamales - all coming from the long row of food vendors along the park's outer edge. Sounds of world fusion, Latin beat and Middle Eastern music poured from speakers. Dances from Samoa, Tahiti and Korea were a visual treat. As the day wore on, crowds thickened and lines 15-20 deep formed for heaping plates of beef bulgogi, rice and kimchi ($5.99) at the Korean Women's Association booth. I wished I had room but didn't regret the tasty Jamaican jerk chicken pocket and coconut water I'd already eaten.

There's no swimming pool this year, though with the revamped kids' area and water feature "sprayground" (part of the slick, new playground at Wright Park) I doubt anyone missed it. Suddenly feeling the heat on my very Irish skin, I dipped into the shade at the nearest booth. I recognized Anita Jones, who has a NALI natural body care products line and vends at many local outdoor markets and festivals. "I try to be at all the best ones," she offers with a warm smile. She patiently explained benefits of salt scrubs and different soaps to those stopping by. Eying my red shoulders, she offered a bottle of blended avocado oil and aloe.

Jones' booth is one of many, a varying collection at Ethnic Fest, each stocked with all manner of trinket, garb and handmade items as well as mass produced art, crafts and wares. These booths fill the park's inner grassy area. A breeze brought with it the scent of roasting corn fresh from the booth Michelle Amiotte and family run.

An interactive art tent with tables and art supplies provides a place for kids to take a break from being waist high in a tall adult crowd. Along the northern side of the park I met Tacoma School Board candidate and University of Puget Sound professor Dexter Gordon. "Tacoma is a vibrant community. Look at everyone here today," he says, his beaming smile contagious as he gestures to festival attendees.

At the park's opposite end, the energetic, dance-off action on the D.A.S.H Center for the Arts stage drew attention away from the much larger main stage and garnered cheers, hollers and a lot of applause. Kids 11-years-old and younger showed off their undeniable talent, much of it hard to fathom. Unabashed enjoyment was apparent in their faces. Earlier in the day I'd paused at the same stage to listen to spoken word. Tony "Illaphant" Innouvong fired off a powerful, thought-provoking performance.

To the left, guys shot hoops just like it was any other rain-free day in the park. Plenty of families opted to bring their own lunch; coolers spilled out big bowls of potato salad, pasta and cold drinks. Some folks even brought grills; the scent from which rivaled the professional food hawkers.

Reggae sensation and local favorite Alex Duncan closes out the free festival at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31.