This weekend, the city will say “Bienvenue à Middletown” as Middfest marks year 32 and encapsulates all things French past and present.

“I think it fills a need for people who want to know about the rest of the world in a more in-depth way than you can do in a single program,” said Virginia Ritan, executive director of Middfest.

Music, films, art, science and clothes from France, and various tributes to the French culture will be on display for the weekend. Displays will be located inside the city building and former senior citizens center and outside in the plaza, Middletown Arts Center and the surrounding grounds.

“Countries are chosen for different reasons, but we felt there are lots of historical connections between France and the United States,” Ritan said.

France loaned money and gave support in the United States’ fight for independence, and the United States supported France’s efforts to change its form of government.

As the city building will celebrate all things French, the corner of Broad Street and Central Avenue on Friday will resemble a scene out of an “American in Paris.”

The Pendleton Art Center and BeauVerre at the Square will transform downtown’s core into a Parisian streetscape. One Donham Plaza at the Middletown City Building will also be celebrating all things French.

“I think it’s going to be awesome,” said Jamie Murphy, owner of Bella at BeauVerre at the Square.” It’s a great opportunity to feed off each other. Our downtown is going to be exploding with things to do.”

Sue Wittman, who’s frame shop and show room, Artique and Artique 2, are at the Pendleton Art Center, said the artists will be in the French mood. She said the typical audience of Middfest, and the typical audience of First Friday typically have the same interests.

“The people that are interested in art are also interested in all cultural aspects,” said the presidnet of the Art Central Foundation. “It’s nice that we have two events that basically draw the same crowdes but for different reasons.”

Wittman said the husband of artist Margie Homan of Colorful Me at the PAC will perform as Claude Monet Friday evening. Her studio also has a water lilly ceiling, a tribute to one of Monet’s more famous paintings.