30th annual World Festival kicks off Friday

Mon, Apr 3, 2006

By Christina Killion Valdez
The Post-Bulletin 

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Year after year, the Rochester World Festival proves it's a small world after all by celebrating the varied cultures that make up the city's dynamic population.

This year's event also commemorates the festival's own heritage.

What's long been known as an annual sampling of world cultures sponsored by the Rochester International Association, began in 1976 as a bicentennial project by the late Fuad Mansour and the Rochester Jaycees, said Phyllis Layton, a founding member of the Rochester International Association.

The instant success of the event, which tied into the needs of an increasingly diverse community, prompted Mansour to contact community groups the following year to help keep the festival going, Layton said.

By 1982, the Rochester International Association formed as an official organization with the goal of unifying newcomers and long-time community members, Layton said. Part of that effort, led by founder Geri Critchley, was continuing the festival, Layton said.

"It gives people an opportunity to get to know each other or at least meet," Layton said.

Frank Hawthorne, president of the international association, agrees.

"I think it helps us all come together when we otherwise wouldn't have that contact," he said.

Since the beginning, the festival has incorporated a parade of nations, exhibit booths, entertainment, food tasting, demonstrations and children's activities. About 50 countries are represented each year, Layton said.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Around the World in 30 Years."

New this year will be a silent auction with two Hmong story cloths and a quilted tapestry made by Betsy Munroe.

Several new acts will participate in this year's Friday night dance show, coordinated by April Dahl. The show will feature Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing, a Chinese ribbon dance, American clogging, Irish dancing, salsa, the Lindy Hop, Indian dancing and belly dancing. Fred Gommels will serve as the emcee. A reception to celebrate the festival's 30th anniversary will take place in the lobby afterwards.

What: The 30th Annual Rochester World Festival

When: Friday and Saturday

Where: Century High School, 2525 Viola Road N.E. in Rochester

What's going on: Ethnic dance program at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $6 for adults, $3 for students, available at the IMAA reception desk, at Hunt's Silver Lake Pharmacy and at the door.

The festival, featuring ethnic food tasting, cultural exhibits and children's activities, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Parade of Nations is at 10:15 a.m. Admission is free.

On the Web: Rochester International Association