A celebration aiming to promote cultural appreciation will take place this Sunday at San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza.
The Cal Poly Multicultural Center and Student Life and Leadership will host the 10th annual Culture-fest from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21.
This year’s theme is “A Decade of Discovery.” Entrance to the festival is free and the event will showcase a diversity of food, activities and live entertainment.
“The purpose of this event is to spread cultural awareness by showcasing the talents and traditions of Cal Poly’s student body as well as outside performers,” said general engineering senior Ian Valencia. “We try to bring people together and celebrate cultures.”
Valencia, the Culturefest Committee Chair, is a member of Omega Xi Delta, an Asian-interest fraternity that is participating in the event.
“It’s important because it is run by a devoted group of students and a hard-working advisor – Renoda Campbell – who believes that diversity is what makes America so great,” Valencia said.
“Students put their own time into it because they believe in the event. I decided I wanted to be this year’s chair because I think the event is one of Cal Poly’s best kept secrets … This is the 10th celebration and I wanted to bring excitement and energy to the event.”
Culturefest not only promotes cultural diversity in the area but also helps with relationships between the university and the San Luis Obispo community.
“Culturefest is a way to unite the campus and community and provides clubs and organizations a platform to bring awareness of what they do and represent,” said entertainment committee member and comparative ethnic studies senior Gabi Garcia.
“It also gives students and people in the community [an opportunity] to explore different cultures and encourages positive relationships with the campus and community.”
According to Valencia and Garcia, there will be more than 20 cultural and sub-culture clubs and organizations participating in the event. Some participants include the American Indian Student Association, Hip-Hop Congress, Japanese Cultural Exchange, Pilipino Cultural Exchange, Lambda Sigma Gamma – a multicultural sorority – and the Hellenic American Organization.
Some clubs will provide a wide range of fresh-cooked ethnic foods and give live dance performances. Community organizations such as World Rhythm and Motion will present belly dancers and African dances. The event will end with a performance by Resination, a local reggae band that has played at Cal Poly several times.
The celebration is a family-oriented affair and the kids’ fair has been extended this year, Garcia said.
“People can expect good performances, cultural foods, family games and Zoo to You,” Valencia said. The kids’ fair will feature activities such as face-painting, games, a coloring contest and a raffle.
“It’s not too much different from years past, but I think that’s why it’s so great,” Valencia said. “It’s once a year and when you go once you’ll want to go again next time. This will be only the second year it is in the fall quarter because the clubs decided it was better than the hectic spring quarter.”
Renoda Campbell, Director of Multicultural Programs and Services, said that Culturefest is an opportunity to educate and celebrate the different backgrounds and cultures that individuals come from.