The 9th annual Cincinnati Festival of Faiths takes place August 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Xavier University's Cintas Center, 1624 Musketeer Drive, Cincinnati. Admission is free, but advance registration is required at equasion.org.

This year's format is new. Organizers have replaced the traditional presentation model with an indoor-outdoor market-style village where attendees wander between stations representing more than 30 faith traditions, collecting items on an interactive "passport journey."

Sikh volunteers from the Guru Nanak Society of Greater Cincinnati Gurdwara Sahib will serve a complimentary Guru Ka Langar meal from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A Sacred Arts Stage runs all afternoon, featuring the All Nations Drum, the Beulah Mass Choir, Sampradaya Dance, and a multifaith choir finale. Kids' crafts, a labyrinth walking meditation, and an exhibitor village round out the activities.

"The Festival of Faiths creates a rare opportunity to move beyond assumptions and meet one another as neighbors," EquaSion Executive Director Deidre Hazelbaker said in a July 26 statement.

More than 50 volunteers from 10 faith traditions built the program, led by program managers Alycia McClurg and Karen Martin. EquaSion, the nonpartisan civic organization behind the event, expects about 3,000 attendees, according to the NKY Tribune.

Visitors can drop in at any point during the afternoon.