UPDATE: Rain or Shine, International Festival is a Go

Rain won’t stop the International Festival of Burnsville this year.

Festival organizers posted the following message on the festival's Facebook page Thursday: “A little rain won't stop us. The Fest will still be held inside the main stage in the event of bad weather, so come check it out!”

Inclement weather led to the cancellation of last year’s festival. Organizers delayed the start of the event in hopes rain would stop, but nevertheless scrapped the festivities.

This year’s festival—which is free and open to the public—is planned for 3 to 9 p.m. today (Saturday) at , 12550 Nicollet Ave., which is adjacent to the PAC. 

The National Weather Service forecast for today is calling for a 60-percent change of showers and thunderstorms, “mainly after 1 p.m.” A hazardous weather outlook issued for Saturday says “a few strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening,” but there is some uncertainty in the timing and severity.

Today’s festival will feature the “Cultural Perspectives” art exhibit, a family activities tent and food vendors.

The schedule of events include:

• 3:05 p.m.—Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs

• 3:45 p.m.—Sisters of the Sahara

• 4:10 p.m.—Alpensterne

• 4:50 p.m.—School of India for Language and Culture

• 5 to 6 p.m.—Up Standing Stilts – Roving Artist

• 5:20 p.m.—Universal Dance Destiny

• 5:55 p.m.—Burnsville Swing Dancers

• 6:20 p.m.—Circus Manduhai

• 6:30 to 7:35 p.m.—Scott Richter, juggler

• 7:05 p.m.—Indian Bollywood Dancing Dolls

• 7:15 p.m.—Rince Na Chroi

• 7:40 p.m.—Minnesota Sunshine

• 8 p.m.—Raffle drawing

• 8:15 p.m.—Son Del Sur

Click here to view the festival’s website.

EVENTS WILL BE TELEVISED, AVAILABLE ON VIDEO

For those residents unable to visit today's festival, they won't have to miss out on the fun.

According to a press release on the City of Burnsville website:

Burnsville Community Television will cablecast the June 16 International Festival performances live on the City's Cable Channel 14 from 3 to 9 p.m.

BCTV 14 is available to cable subscribers in Burnsville and is not available on satellite dish for via over-the-air antenna. DVD copies of the event will be available for order after the event at www.burnsville.tv. The performances will also be accessible on the City's YouTube channel in the days following at www.youtube.com/cityofburnsvillemn.