(San Antonio) – At the Texas Folklife Festival, "It’s All About Friendship." For 36 years, the Folklife Festival has been a mini-village of ethnic neighborhoods where young and old alike come to play and celebrate the heritage and traditions of the Lone Star state. This year, the three-day extravaganza, begins Friday, June 8 and runs through Sunday night, June 10 at UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures in HemisFair Park in downtown San Antonio. Some 70,000 visitors come each year to enjoy the dancing, ornate costumes, and of course, the delicious food that represents more than 40 of the world’s cultures.

"It’s All About Friendship" is this year’s festival theme, recognizing the original friendships that were forged as Texas was settled in the mid-19th Century and the many relationships that have developed and been nurtured during more than three decades of returning to the Folklife Festival. In the spirit of a big city neighborhood festival and the international flavor of a World’s Fair, the Folklife Festival offers an immense sampling of foods, music, dance, costumes, crafts and other artistic traditions, along with a community created through people coming together with interest and acceptance.

"This is a fun and intense immersion into the rich diversity and cultural traditions that make up the "DNA" of Texas’ life and lore," says JoAnn Andera, festival director. "For many this is the only time when those who share the same heritage and culture see each other, as well as see their friends from other ‘countries."

"More than half of our annual cultural participants have been coming to the festival for more than 30 years," Andera adds. "Third generations are now participating, which is important if we are going to keep the unique and diverse cultural traditions of Texas alive."

For more information visit www.texasfolklifefestival.org or call (210) 458-2390.