Participants from the University of Hawai‘i perform in the Festival's opening ceremony.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

Dr. Taupouri Tangaro (UNUKUPUKUPU) performs as part of the University of Hawai‘i's participation in the “Campus and Community” program.

Photo by Josh Weilepp, Smithsonian Institution

The West Virginia University Steel Drum Ensemble mascot entertains a young visitor in the “Campus and Community” program.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

The West Virginia University Steel Band Drum Ensemble kicks off the Festival's evening concert series.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

Master storyteller Baba-C performs at the Good Hope & Naylor Corner tent in the “Citified” program.

Photo by Charlotte Krohn, Smithsonian Institution

An artist works on a mural installation in the “Citified” program.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

An artist works on a mural installation in the “Citified” program. Photo by Walter Larrimore, Smithsonian Institution

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A work-in-progress by Jay Coleman in the “Citified” program.

Photo by Charlotte Krohn, Smithsonian Institution

Sheryl Lee Ralph delivers a passionate spoken-word performance, “Sometimes I Cry,” in the Red Hot tent of the “Creativity and Crisis” program.

Photo by Josh Weilepp, Smithsonian Institution

Nomvula Mashoai-Cook, Unathi Meslane, Beauty Ndlovu, and Lobolile Ximba pose in front of one of their art pieces in the Common Threads tent of the “Creativity and Crisis“ program.

Photo by Francisco Guerra, Smithsonian Institution

Billy Howard, photographer and author of Epitaphs for the Living: Words and Images in the Time of AIDS, poses with Doug Lothes, who is featured in the book.

Visitors walk around blocks of The AIDS Memorial Quilt in the “Creativity and Crisis” program.

Photo by Francisco Guerra, Smithsonian Institution

The Festival kicked off with great weather, energetic participants, and attentive visitors. Here's a glimpse into opening day at each of the three programs--courtesy of our ace Documentation team.