It isn't necessary to fly a plane around the world in order for local residents to eat authentic homemade Mexican tacos and listen to live South Indian music in one day.

Everyone can experience several different cultures all in one place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday by going to the Tri-County Summerfest at Louis F. Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing.

"This is a way of highlighting all the cultures in Lansing," said Ernie Boone, executive-director of the Black Child and Family Institute. "Michigan is rich in cultures from around the world and we want to celebrate that.

"This is a good opportunity to learn about each other's cultures, history and music."

Other local organizations such as the Cristo Rey Community Center, the Hmong American Community of Lansing, the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing, the Mid-Michigan Asian Pacific American Association and the Polish Federated Home are participating in the multicultural festival.

Events and services include traditional ethnic food, live musical entertainment, a showcase of authentic artifacts and handmade clothing and jewelry.

Traditional picnic events such as pie eating contests, sack races, clowns, children's games and cake walks will also be available. Admission is free and open to the public.

Individual groups have held their own cultural festivals over the years, but when the Black Child and Family Institute planned its annual festival it decided to expand and include other cultures this year in one major event.

The predominantly Hispanic Cristo Rey Church in Lansing held Fiesta 2004 earlier this summer.

The church's community center is bringing some of what it presented in May to the multicultural festival this weekend with staff members preparing traditional food such as chips and salsa, rice, beans tacos and tamales. In addition to food, Hispanic music and dance will be some of the evening's live entertainment.

"(A multicultural festival) has never been done down here, it's always been individual festivals," said Cindi Benavides, program coordinator at the Cristo Rey Community Center.

Laden with pierogis and polish sausage, the Polish Federated Home will have booths of traditional food at the festival as well.

Pat Krawczynski, president of the Polish Falcons of America Nest 652 at the home, said many don't realize the home even exists in Lansing.

It once served as a place for Polish immigrants and now exists as a community center for various Polish organizations.

"I'll run into Polish people that have never heard of it," Krawczynski said. "We want to show our ethnicity, we want people to come see us because we're here."

The Hmong American Community will sell traditional handmade arts and crafts such as needlework and table runners as well as traditional food like egg rolls.

"It's a pretty good opportunity for people to get to know each other, see and meet the other residents they should know," said Cheu Xiong, director of the Hmong American Community of Lansing.

"To see the different cultures, the different foods, the different shows, the different kinds of performing, will all help to educate the people."