While it’s no secret that Western New Yorkers love a good festival, it can get a little old going to the same events and venues year after year. So if you’re looking for something exciting and different that combines all of the necessities — incredible music, culture, amazing food, awesome people-watching opportunities, art exhibits and free admission — then you may want to consider a worldly event north of the border this summer.

TD Sunfest, billed as Canada’s premier celebration of world cultures, returns to nearby London, Ontario, July 4-7. As the description implies, we’re not talking about any run-of-the-mill festival here. This event has been voted a Top 100 Ontario Festival and Best Local Festival/Event courtesy of its satisfied audience.

TD Sunfest brings together an eclectic roster of performers that span the globe — and nearly the alphabet — from Algeria to the United Kingdom. The event has evolved into a must-see attraction and now draws more than 225,000 visitors annually — in a city of around 330,000!

This year will be no exception, as big names — Africa’s reggae icon Alpha Blondy, Malian vocalist and rising star Fatoumata Diawara, and Romania’s hottest Gypsy brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia — rub shoulders with intriguing new voices from across the Americas. New to TD Sunfest this year will be “The SUNsational Soul & Afrofunk Experience 2013,” attracting headliners from The Ivory Coast, Trinidad & Tobago, Mali, the United Kingdom and Canada.

“One of the main things that distinguishes TD Sunfest is continued audience accessibility,” said Executive and Artistic Director Alfredo Caxaj, himself a Guatemalan refugee. “It’s so beautiful to see Latin American or North African families arriving in the park, having lunch and discovering something new. We offer a global village in one convenient location, with the flavors and tastes of the whole world.” The venue for TD Sunfest — the spacious, green and tree-lined Victoria Park — helps create the ideal festival atmosphere.

Come experience first-hand why this event is building such a passionate following on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border! TD Sunfest takes place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with music performances scheduled from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, please visit www.sunfest.on.ca, email info@sunfest.on.ca or call (519) 672-1522. And for helpful information on planning a quick getaway to nearby London, please visit www.londontourism.ca.