A free Moroccan cultural and trade festival comes to Ponce Circle Park in downtown Coral Gables on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24.

Morocco Days in Miami runs from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Admission is free, and families are welcome, according to the festival website, which describes the gathering as its first edition.

Consul General Chafika El Habti introduces the event in a welcome message on the website.

“For two days, Morocco comes to Miami: a country to discover, experience, and enjoy,” she says.

Crafts, food and contemporary design

The festival website outlines three themed areas: Souk Origins, featuring artisans, textiles, crafts and workshops; Made in Morocco, showcasing contemporary brands in fashion, design and gastronomy; and Industry & Future, focused on entrepreneurship, technology and business.

Moroccan flavors and mint tea are also part of the planned experience. The website highlights two Moroccan regions, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and Drâa-Tafilalet.

A planned passport program will encourage visitors to explore the three areas. As of Oct. 21, organizers had not confirmed collection arrangements or rewards, and the detailed schedule remained forthcoming.

Miami International Airport is listed as the gold sponsor. Partners include the City of Coral Gables, Florida International University, Miami Dade College, the Center for International Trade Development in Miami and the artisan chambers of the two featured Moroccan regions.

FIU discussion precedes the festival

An associated event, Morocco at the Crossroads: Connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5 to 6:15 p.m. in room 102 of FIU’s SIPA II building, 11200 SW Eighth St., Miami.

FIU describes it as a fireside chat with Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, and Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs Dean Shlomi Dinar. Topics include Morocco’s cultural heritage, trade and ties with the United States and South Florida.

The festival’s anniversary theme coincides with 250 years since American independence. Morocco opened its ports to American ships in 1777 and formally recognized the United States through a peace and friendship treaty in 1786, according to the U.S. State Department.

If you go

What: Morocco Days in Miami

When: Friday, Oct. 23, 4–11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Where: Ponce Circle Park, 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables

Cost: Free

Details: moroccodaysmiami.com. Registering interest on the website does not reserve admission. As of Oct. 21, the website said parking, accessibility and family information would be published in a visitor guide.