Faribault is becoming an ever diverse community as shown in this photo from a recent Friday evening Car Cruise Night. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo July 2015.
Neighbor meeting neighbor.
I like that phrase tagged by the International Festival Faribault planning committee to an event celebrating my community’s cultural diversity.
Conversation and connecting…, no other words necessary for this photo taken at a previous fest. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
When we personalize, then we begin to see beyond the differences. We see individuals rather than skin color or clothing. We hear the person and not the language. We connect. We become neighbors.
A member of Ollin Ayacaxtly Aztec Dancers performs at a previous International Festival Faribault, Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, August 22, the Faribault community comes together in Central Park for this 10th annual celebration of diversity. International Festival Faribault aims to promote an understanding between cultures and to unite the community with music, dance, art, ethnic foods and merchandise.
A little girl stands on the opposite side of the group of children waiting to swing at the pinata during the 2012 festival. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo. I won first place for this image in the “personal heritage” category of the 2014 Faribault Heritage Days Photo Contest.
I’ve attended the festival numerous times and delight in this opportunity to meet others, to sample ethnic foods, to listen to music, to check out the art and more. My favorite has always been observing children gathered to break pińatas. It is then that I see the possibilities for Faribault. We can learn from these kids who care not about differences but rather are focused as one on a single goal.
On Saturday, let that goal be neighbor meeting neighbor.
Art showcased by a vendor at the 2012 festival. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Here’s the International Festival Faribault entertainment schedule:
- 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Steve Huber on acoustic guitar
- 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.- Otto & Celia – Guatemalan singers on keyboard; Patti Letona – Guatemalan singer; and Eliana Tobar – El Salvadorian singer
- 11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Selvin – Guatemalan dancer
- 11:45 a.m. – noon – Children’s Dance Performance by Florecitas de Dios
- noon – 1 p.m. – Ollin Ayacaxtly Aztec Dancers
- 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Flag Ceremonies (national anthems and salutes)
- 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – South Sudanese music and dancers
- 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Cambodian dancers
- 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Hula Hoop Performance by Adrienne Lee
- 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Breaking of piñatas
FYI: Admittance to International Festival Faribault is free.
Where are the Czechs, Germans, Norwegians, and Poles in this event? I wonder if the newcomers to Faribault want to study the cultural history of their adopted town and state?
I expect many of the nationalities you name will attend the event. And some in the entertainment line-up, such as Steve Huber and Adrienne Lee, I do not believe are newcomers. In the flag ceremony, all the nationalities of Faribault are represented. There are many vendors from many ethnic backgrounds. Some have lived in Faribault for a long time.
We have been reaching out to the community and have been asking other cultures to attend, but not had a lot of responses. We love to see other food tables and have other nations represented at the festival and with the Flag Ceremony…
It is not too late to still join–we have table spaces available. Table Reservation Form can be downloaded at http://internationalfestivalfaribault.org/media/Forms/IFF_-_Table_Reservation_Form_2015.pdf
Thank You – IFF Committee.
Thank you for that open invitation to participate in the International Festival Faribault no matter one’s ethnicity. There you go, Faribault.
And thank you, IFF Committee for all of your hard work in connecting people.
In the past, I’ve bought my daughter lefse here. But people need to approach us (I’m on the board now). We invite everyone to participate! I, for one, wouldn’t mind digging into Czech sausage and/or German spaetzle, and Polish pierogi is delightful! And wouldn’t it be cool to see dancing or hear music from these cultures? Please consider next year if you can make some of these treats or if you’re musically inclined!
I agree, Lisa. Excellent specific suggestions.
You know me I love learning about culture and people and places and history. I recently became permanent at the organization I was contracting at. During new hire orientation the President of the organization spoke about how proud he is and that we should be proud as well due to the diversity of our organization. This organization is ranked #2 right behind Publix Grocery Stores and has the most diverse population of employees. Pretty Cool I say! By being open and educating myself I have met some pretty amazing people from all over the world. There is a commonality in every one of us if we take the time to discover it!
Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Well said, Renee. And congratulations on being hired with what sounds like a great organization.
Thanks! I am so blessed to have this job opportunity 🙂 I am still working with government in this position.
Blessed is the best.
As always, Audrey, your photography brings the color of culture to life.
Thank you, Greg. I always try to have words and photos complement each other.
This is such a neat festival, It’s pretty awesome that Faribault celebrates the different cultures and ethnicities that represent your town. Great photo’s as always! Hope the weather is perfect!
I’m glad my community does this, too. Yes, hoping for wonderful weather.
Lovely post again Audrey. I do love festivals that celebrate cultural diversity. Womad is one of my favourite festivals that they have here in New Zealand. Thanks.
Thank you for your sweet words.