The dog days of summer are upon us, and while Portlanders are cramming as much fun and as many street fairs as possible into their days, others are working hard to put on a second and, no doubt, more successful Festival of Nations. The Sept. 17 festival means summer goes on just a bit longer after Labor Day. If you’ve never put together a major festival, you are probably not aware of the thousands of little details you need to juggle in the 12 months of preparation for the big day. Luckily for the Division Midway Alliance, the festival’s organizer, the Festival Committee is taking care of them all.
The Taste of Nations tent has one lead coordinator, Sheila Gibbons, and five group leaders who are helping the individual groups. Patrik McDade of People, Places, and Things will also help coordinate the days the groups prepare the food for sale. The spectacular offerings feature food from Russia, Iraq, China, Mexico, Somalia, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Layla Assem and Maureen Riggs lead activities planning. The activities are intended to be educational, but don’t fret, Layla and Maureen promise they will be fun!
Lorelei Young is wearing two hats, one as the committee chair, and the other as booking agent. She has put together a great entertainment lineup. Music performers include African ShowBoyz, Son De Cuba and Noble Ghim Irish Band. The beautiful traditional clothes and dance of the Zomi and Karin dancers from Myanmar will mesmerize festival-goers, while the crazy moves of the Morpheus Youth Project Break Dancers will amaze them.
On “game” day, many volunteers will show up from set-up to take down, making sure the festival goes off without a hitch. This year, the East Portland Rovers and the David Douglas Key Club will pitch in.
Son De Cuba will be at the 2016 Festival of Nations
And lest we forget, logistics are being coordinated by DMA Board President Dawn Luethe and marketing by Ann Ereline.
All total, thousands of man hours will go into making one day, festival day, a success. To pull off a feat like the Festival of Nations primarily with community volunteers is a testament to the people of East Portland. To all of our volunteers, DMA says a great big thank you. We invite all of East Portland — and all Portland residents — to celebrate the diversity and cohesion of East Portland. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Division Center at the corner of Southeast 122nd Avenue and Division Street.
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