One of the things that makes Tucson a unique and a fun place to live is its cultural diversity and eclectic arts scene. One way to really experience such variety is by visiting the many fall festivals that take place this time of year, one of the most interesting being the Tucson Meet Yourself festival. Happening this weekend, Tucson Meet Yourself is jam-packed full of food, cultural art and performances—and best of all, it’s extremely family-friendly.

Tucson Meet Yourself is a three-day festival, taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 9, 10 and 11), that celebrates the Southern Arizona’s diverse folk and ethnic communities through traditional art, music, dance, food, storytelling, crafts, cultural heritage and more. Here are some highlights of this year’s event:

Global Village Booth: Here you’ll find nonprofit organizations, grass-roots ethnic clubs, families and/or individuals who display their cultural heritage for visitors through dance, costumes, games, storytelling, languages, music and more.

Festival Marketplace: This is where you will be able to purchase handmade, one-of-a-kind local artwork from individual folk artists.

Local and Heritage Foods: Local, sustainable fare will be available at the festival via neighborhood farmers, ranchers, heritage food artists and gardeners.

Global Rhythms: Drumming, health and wellness presentations, martial arts traditions and dancing will be available for your viewing pleasure on the open stage area.

Get Moving Run: On Sunday morning, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners will present this 10 mile run and 3.1 mile run/walk, for visitors of all ages and ability levels.

Youth Culture: This special area of the festival is just for kids, featuring performances, art, digital storytelling, poetry, fashion and world games.

Meet the Healers: Here you’ll find various ways to heal your body and mind, from yoga and tai chi to massage and acupressure.

Lowrider Car Show: Calling all car and bike lovers—on Saturday and Sunday, you’ll be able to see plenty of old and valuable vehicles, and winners will be given cash prizes in various categories.

Fashion Show: Taking place on Saturday, traditional, cultural garb is shown at this fashion show, making for a colorful and decorative way to display clothing, body art and accessories.

Corrido Contest: Corridos are Mexican-style ballads in which the singer uses poetry and song to express personal experiences. Make sure you attend this contest, where local singers and songwriters will share their corridos, as it is a Tucson Meet Yourself favorite. Cash prizes will be given to the best corridos.

In addition to these special events and vendors, Tucson Meet Yourself will also feature an International Food Court, Iron Chef Contest, performances and various demonstrative folk arts.

About 300 to 400 volunteers are needed to help bring Tucson Meet Yourself to the public. Volunteer jobs include greeters at the festival information booths, set-up, take-down, clean-up, artist hospitality, traffic load-in control and more. If you are interested in becoming a Tucson Meet Yourself volunteer, contact Festival Coordinator Mia Hansen at 520.370.0588 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .