The 2010 Houston International Festival is officially underway.

Mayor Annise Parker and members of Houston City Council, along with representatives of the Consular Corps and visitors from Caribbean islands participated in the official opening ceremony for ifest, which included a ribbon cutting. Listen: RealPlayer MP3

“This event has grown over the last 40 years to be one of our premier outdoor festivals,” Parker said. “And it’s not just an event that attracts Houstonians, but people from the entire region and literally from around the world.”

Holly Montalbano, chair of the Houston International Festival Board of Directors, welcomed the crowd to the event.

This year's festival is entitled "Spotighting the Caribbean".

Neutral Sister with Mr. Blacc Sheep performed "Hold on Haiti" as a finale for the ceremony.

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