The flag ceremony featured national anthems and information about the countries from which Faribault residents have originated.
FRIENDS, FLAGS, FOOD, FUN…all melded in Faribault Saturday for the 10th annual International Festival Faribault.
Representing the country of Sudan.
Despite a fierce wind that ripped tent poles from the ground and hastened events along under a forecast of stormy weather, nothing could quell the enthusiasm for this gathering.
Friends
Friends
Friends
Smiles abounded. Everywhere.
The festival was truly a family event for all cultures.
It was a feel-good family event,
Pork and plenty of cilantro.
an opportunity to try ethnic foods,
A dancer from Ollin Ayacaxtly Aztec Dancers.
An Aztec dancer’s costume details.
Aztec dancers
a place to be entertained by skillful dancers,
Kids used markers to create flags from their native countries.
an educational day,
Flags representing Faribault residents lined the sidewalk.
Henna art
On stage and off, cultures mingled.
a mingling of the many cultures that call Faribault home.
A candid moment: just two boys on bikes.
I am grateful for festivals like this in my southeastern Minnesota community. When I see the togetherness, especially among the children, I have hope.
Beautiful henna art.
Hope that we can see beyond the color of our skin,
Just a kid having fun.
beyond the differences in language and dress and food to that which unites us—the fact that we are all people, just people.
FYI: Please check back for more photos from the International Festival Faribault.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
What a joyful post, Audrey! I love the candid people photos… and the food looks dee lish!! As you said, we are all people, and I think we all long to be accepted and loved.
Thank you. I tried to capture the event through a mix of photos. The organizers and participants did a great job in spotlighting cultural diversity.
One day a year is seemingly not enough…especially to showcase the food – yum! This reminds me of a local Festival of Nation. I’ve been to the one in St. Paul several times. It is always interesting to immerse yourself in diverse culture.
It was a wonderful event to showcase the diversity of our community in a close-up way.
Though the wind was a bummer, at least it wasn’t raining! It was awesome to see this day happen again! I like what Dan said, though, that one day isn’t enough. Still fun! So proud to live in such a rich place!
Thanks to you, Lisa, and the committee for planning this great event in Faribault. It was a wonderful celebration, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
And thank you for the lovely post!
You are welcome. One more post coming this week with lots more photos.
It looks like a great day of coming together and celebrating what draws us together, rather than what divides us. The girl holding the Sudanese flag is very beautiful. I love the look of the pork and coriander dish xx
It was a great day. And I totally agree about the young Sudanese woman. She is stunningly beautiful, inside and out.
Great look inside a wonderful day. The pork with tons of cilantro would have been a hit with me and I love the face painting and henna tattoo art. Beautiful as well inspirational when cultures can come together. Now let’s expand it to more than just a day, right? 🙂
Exactly, beyond one day. Events like this help. A lot.
You captured some amazing shots Audrey, it’s so neat that this event has stood the time of 10 years! It’s obviously a very important part of Faribault’s community. I especially like to photo’s of the Aztec dancers, so colorful!
Thank you, Jackie. Lots more photos coming in Tuesday’s post.