Asheville, N.C. (WSPA)- The Goombay festival has been celebrated for more than 40 years but was cancelled last year, as it fell on the weekend Hurricane Helene hit the area.

The festival will be located in downtown Asheville at Pack Square and at the YMI Cultural Center Thursday Sept 4-7.

Executive Director Sean Palmer said it's the oldest operating cultural center in America built in 1800's.

The festival has Caribbean roots and was originally brought to Asheville by Gloria Free, who found the Goombay tradition in Florida on a trip. She will be honored at this year's festival after her death.

You can expect more than 40 vendors with important and artifacts as well as food and dancing.

Melvin AC Howell Choreographer and Creative Director will be performing along with many others in Pac

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