Community members and local organizations interested in participating in this year’s Celebration of Nations on Saturday, Sept. 24, are encouraged to visit the event’s website for downloadable registration forms. This free event is sponsored by Missouri University of Science and Technology, the city of Rolla and area businesses.

All participants in the Celebration of Nations must demonstrate traditional representations of culture or have an international theme.

The deadline to register for the International Idol talent competition is Sept. 1. Auditions for the competition will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, in the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus.

Vendor registration fees and forms are due by Friday, Sept. 16. All registration forms are available online.

The event will kick off with a Parade of Nations at 11 a.m. The parade will begin at the Havener Center, go south on Rolla Street, continue north through downtown Rolla’s Pine Street and end at the Rolla Band Shell at 9th and Oak streets.

A festival featuring local and international arts, crafts and food will follow the parade until 5 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to watch the free International Idol competition in the afternoon.

The Celebration of Nations information booth will have free passports for the kids and T-shirts for purchase. Kids can get their passports stamped by visiting booths and tables hosted by representatives from different countries. There will also be a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables and more.

Visit nations.mst.edu or become a fan of the Celebration of Nations Facebook page.

For more information about this year’s Celebration of Nations, email menands@mst.edu or call 573-341-6237.