By Ann Ereline
Despite the heavy rain, the Festival of Nations beamed with smiling faces, said Lorelei Young, the volunteer chairwoman of the event. “Cha Cha the Clown kept the youth, and the young at heart in high spirits.”
The event on that rainy and a bit chilly Saturday, Sept. 17, celebrated the diversity of Outer Southeast Portland and was organized by the Division Midway Alliance.
“DMA thanks the sponsors, vendors, entertainers, volunteers and community members who braved the rain to come out and support this year’s Festival of Nations,” said Lori Boisen, DMA’s district manager. “The best part of all was that all day long people were singing and dancing . . . in the rain.”
Plenty of community members showed up for the six-hour festival to enjoy a cultural potpourri of great food and music and fun and games for kids of all ages.
“The Taste of Nations tent and food vendors were the most popular spot,” Young said. The dishes showcased taste treats from China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Iraq and Russia.
The entertainment was just as multicultural, from crowd favorite African ShowBoyz to Son de Cuba, making their festival debut. The crowd also enjoyed the Paplotl Mexican Ballet, Noble Ghim Band and dancers from Myanmar, when not entertained by break dancers or a tae kwon do demonstration. While Gentle Biff crafted balloon creatures for kids, Cha Cha the Clown played the crowd.
As for the rain, it failed to stop anyone from singing or dancing.
Ann Ereline, a Southeast Portland-based freelance writer and editor, is the chairwoman of DMA’s Marketing Committee.
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