LOWELL -- Gordon Halm just wanted to get a few friends together five years ago to celebrate Ghana's Independence Day.

He did it through his parish, the Eliot Presbyterian Church on Summer Street in Lowell, which is the religious home to a multinational congregation.

After hosting that first large turn-out, Halm knew he was onto to something big, and Lowell's first African Festival was born the following year.

The fifth annual African Festival -- which is dubbed “A Taste of Africa” -- will be held on Saturday, June 25, at Sampas Pavilion, located on Pawtucket Boulevard along the Merrimack River.

Looking back, Halm says, “A whole lot of people attended our independence day celebration. So, I talked it over with Rev. David Malone (Eliot's former pastor, now retired) and Yvonne LaGarde, my boss and the director of Lifelinks. We decided to get together with people from other African communities and create a festival to celebrate our African heritage.”

The first festival was held at JFK Plaza in downtown Lowell. The high level of interest that year made it clear that a permanent organization promoting an understanding of African cultures would be well-received in the community. So Halm and others founded the African Cultural Association.

About 1,000 Africans live in Lowell, and many others reside in surrounding towns. In addition, word of the festival's colorful events and entertainment now attracts visitors from further away as well.

“The festival has grown each year. This year we expect a whole lot of Africans to attend. We also will have people coming from as far away as Canada and Georgia. It happens, since people call their relatives from out of state and invite them to come to Lowell,” said Halm.

Representatives from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, Kenya, Guinea, Malawi, Algeria and South Africa will be on hand at the festival, wearing traditional African clothes and celebrating their cultural heritage.

Music, entertainment, crafts and traditional African food are the centerpiece of this year's festival, said Halm.

It kicks off at noon with a special torch lighting and greetings from Lowell city officials, Mayor Armand Mercier and Tony Wray, a friend of Lura Smith, assistant to Middlesex Community College president Carole Cowan and last year's speaker.

The entertainment features a variety of performers from Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mali, Ghana, Kenya, the Congo, and Malawi.

“Every country's dance moves are different. But they share similarities in their use of drums and other instruments,” said Halm.

Community Teamwork Inc. will preside over a community resources table. Authentic African crafts will be displayed and available for purchase.

“People will find traditional necklaces, earrings and jewelry, plus baskets and clothing. We will also have hair braiding booths,” said Halm.

The food continues to be one of the festival's big attractions.

“Six food vendors will be on hand, selling traditional foods,” said Halm.

These include eba (ground casabas or yams that are formed into balls), okra soup, fried plantains, beans, chicken and beef on skewers, goat stew, cooked yams and rice and the ever-popular kalla, or puff-puff, balls of tasty fried dough.

Halm is delighted that the festival has grown each year.

“My hopes and dreams are that the African Festival will continue to grow and bring people from all over,” he said. “The festival opens the way for Africans and Americans to all be a part of the event and celebrate our cultures.”

E-mail Nancye Tuttle at ntuttle@lowellsun.com

If You Go

When: Saturday, June 25, noon-7 p.m.

If it rains: Sunday, June 26, noon-7 p.m.

Where: Sampas Pavilion, Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell

Cost: Free admission, traditional food and crafts for sale

On Stage: The following acts perform at the Sampas Pavilion

CAMOLA Kids: Eight kids, ages 6-12, performing traditional Cameroon dances.

DJ Kaikai: A disc jockey from Sierra Leone spins traditional tunes for performers and other music between acts.

Ashanti Queens: New Lowell group will perform Ghanian dances.

Mariamah: A sister act of cultural dancers.

Moussa Traore and Timinandi Drum & Dance Troupe: A drumming troupe originally from Mali and Senegal.

TW: Contemporary R&B and African pop group from Malawi.

Sao & Gina: Twins performing traditional dances from Sierra Leone.

Osibi Dancers: Youth dance troupe, organized by Halm, performing Ghanian and Kenyan dances.

Website: www.africanfestivallowell.org lists specific performance times and other festival information.

-- NANCYE TUTTLE