Valparaiso’s International Center hosted their sixth annual World Cultural Festival on Saturday during a classic fall day. The event is hosted by the Valparaiso International Center which showcases over 17 acts and 20 booths under a tent next to Valpo’s Central Park Plaza.
What exactly is the World Cultural Fest? Valparaiso International Center member Connie Witmer explains, “It’s to host an event to make awareness for the international community that we have here in Valpo and to celebrate the world. It’s a good way for people to come out to experience new things, eat good food, and they also have an opportunity to help out people in other countries with the items that we’re selling.”
In all, the World Culture Festival is an indispensable celebration to the area. Heather Story, a representative from NITCO (the festival’s main sponsor), agreed and said that NITCO is happy to support such an important event to the community, “We’re in the business of connecting families and businesses to the world through our services, so it would only make sense that we would support an event that is not only connecting our community but doing so through culture. We recognize that we live in globally connected world and we need to support events like this that promote strong global connections right here in our back yard.”
The six hour event tied together entertainment and food with over 30 participants amongst stage and tents. All of the festival headliners performed in intervals of five to fifteen minutes, with some impromptu acts as well. Overall 16 different artists took the Central Park Plaza stage, which included Raul Mora who showcased Horopo Dancing and Martial Arts, ZUMBA! with Patricia, Peruvian Dancers, the Ballet Folklorico Tapatio of NWI, a Parade of Nations, the South Shore Dance Alliance, VU Ballroom Dancers, Flavia Cheng who did Tai Chi, South Shore Dancers, Umoja, Joel Hickman & Diana Lang, Mei Feng & Wirt Emerson High School, Poncho and Caroline Rodea, and closing acts the Culver Pipe and Drum Band.
Next to the Central Park Plaza stage there was a large white tent which hosted a variety of groups. Restaurants, vendors, and schools all set up shop to each offer something different to the festival goers. Elena Jambrina, Assistant Chef and Business Manager at Don Quijote, said that having a festival that showcases the different cultures is always necessary.
“It’s good to have an event that gives people an idea of what different cultures are like. Most of the people I know are first or second generations of people from outside the United States and we can’t forget that.”
Jambrina also went on to say that her restaurant is proud to be a part of the festival, “By being here today, I want to let people know that there’s more to Hispanic food than what is generalized by others. It’s really important to me that Don Quijote is a part of that.”
Ibrow Bar, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso High School’s Japanese Language Club, Purdue North Central, NITCO, Taltree, La Patrona, Meditrina, Dynasty Buffet, RE/MAX, La Lumiere School, Vinod Nagubadi - a non-profit organization, Northshore Health Centers, Ivy Tech, Dining for Women, Taste of India, Uptown East, a silent auction, free face painting, and author Aida Lugo McAllister all joined Don Quijote under the chilling shade of the tent.
Even if it all seemed a bit overwhelming, the festival goers appreciated the variety of festival. Erasmo Mendez, who volunteered to help out with the event, but also watched many acts on the Central Park Plaza stage, said that he was pleased by all of what he witnessed during the festival, “It’s been really great. I’ve enjoyed the many different acts on the stage and the turnout has been great. It’s awesome to see so many people exposed to all of these cultures.”
In the end, the VIC pulled of a wonderful and substantial afternoon. Now that the sixth year was pulled off without a hitch there’s only year number seven to look forward to as the VIC will, once again, bring cultures together for an afternoon in the park.
The VIC would also like to thank their many sponsors that make the 6th annual World Cultural Festival possible: NITCO, United Way of Porter County, Bright Idea Creative Services, G. Kumar M.D., Horizon Bank, the City of Valparaiso, Mango Network, Purdue University North Central, Valparaiso University, Das’s Dairy Queen, The Uptown East, Lakeside Health Management, Valparaiso Old Time Dance Society, Valparaiso University Law, RE/MAX Pace Reality, Simko Signs, and Arulandu Foundation for Good Health.