The Honolulu Festival will cap off its 20th anniversary next month with a 20-minute Nagaoka Fireworks Show over Waikiki.

The March 8-9 festival, which features music, dance, crafts, arts, exhibits and special presentations from the Asia Pacific, is expected to attract 5,000 participants.

More than 150 groups from the Pacific Rim and Hawaii are expected for the event, which since its inception in 1995 has generated an estimated $175 million in visitor spending.  The free event will be held  at three venues — the Hawaii Convention Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and Ala Moana Center.

The weekend of cultural festivities also will include a parade at 4:30 p.m. on March 9 along Kalakaua Avenue prior to the fireworks show that will begin at 8:30 p.m.

“Honoring cultural diversity is one of Hawaii’s admirable qualities and the Honolulu Festival deserves enormous credit for encouraging all generations to develop a deeper understanding about the Asia Pacific and its people over these past 20 years,” state Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui said in a statement Tuesday. 

The Honolulu Festival is supported by the Honolulu Festival Foundation, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and corporate sponsors.

For more information about the schedule of events, go to www.honolulufestival.com