LANSING CULTURAL CELEBRATION DAY

There’s an exciting new event in the Chicago Southland this summer, and you’re invited! Fox Pointe in Lansing, Illinois, is hosting Cultural Celebration Day on Saturday, August 17th.

“The diversity of people and cultures in Chicagoland is something special,” said Village of Lansing Mayor Patricia L. Eidam. “Lansing’s Fox Pointe is the perfect place to honor all that makes us different while celebrating how we can come together as one global community.”

From almost the minute the gates open at noon until after sunset, the entertainment, music and dancing at Cultural Celebration Day won’t stop.

“Our main stage will be filled with music from Latin America, Ireland, and the Caribbean,” said Mayor Eidam. “There will be polka music in the afternoon. People of all ages from around Chicagoland will enjoy the variety.”

Between main stage performances, the music continues. Guests can take a few steps to the covered pavilion and enjoy music and dancing from Indonesia, Brazil, Jamaica, India, and Latin America.

Groups performing include Friends of the Gamelan, St. James Gate, Solange Posey, Maurice & Friends, Jamaican4Life, Die Kellerknaben, BOLLYbhangra, Necalli Cultural Movement, Tango Street Dance Studios, and Hydro Afro Reggae Band.

“We’ve put together a lineup of professional, experienced artists who will bring the very best examples of traditional performances to our guests,” says Tony Troncozo, director of programming and entertainment at Fox Pointe. “To have all these different musical genres here in Lansing brings such a valuable, unique, and rich diversity of art to people in the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana.”

Cultural Celebration Day isn’t just about music and dancing – although, with a schedule this packed, that would be enough. Dozens of vendors are offering authentic, international food and specialty drinks for sale. Guests can choose from a smorgasbord of Polish pierogies; Mexican tacos, tortas, and burritos; Creole and Cajun cuisine; Hawaiian drinks; Jamaican jerk chicken; German kraut and sausages; pancakes from the Netherlands; Taiwanese bubble drinks and more.

Shopping opportunities abound at Cultural Celebration Day. There will be artisans and visual artists selling professional arts and crafts such as crocheted animals and headbands, Hebrew clothing and accessories, Egyptian jewelry, bead art, Day of the Dead merchandise, Dutch Delft photography, and African art.

“When guests visit our celebration, we want them to hear something they’ve never heard before, taste something they’ve never tasted before, and see something they’ve never seen before,” said Mayor Eidam.

For parents committed to introducing their children to cultures around the globe, Cultural Celebration Day is a must-attend event.

Lansing Public Library’s Youth Services Manager Beth Bozzo and her staff have planned an entertaining program to introduce kids to other cultures through play and the arts all day long.”

“Using traditional games and crafts, kids will tour the world, learning about a different continent and its countries every hour,” Bozzo explained.  “Our team will guide kids through creating a papel picado, kente cloth, a firebird, origami and more. We’ll also play games like Elastics, Kongki Noli, Shadow, La Barbichette and Mar y Tierra.”

Families can also play and watch cricket at the event. Cricket for Americans will get kids and adults involved in hitting the ball, typically red, white or pink, with the wide bat and learning about the stumps and bails that make up the wicket.

“Games will be going on all afternoon with players cycling in and out as they’d like,” said Bozzo.

Cultural Celebration Day starts at noon at 18138 Henry Street in Lansing, Illinois, on Saturday, August 17th. The event is free to attend, with food, drink, and merchandise available to purchase throughout the day.

“Learning about and enjoying the diverse cultures in Chicagoland helps us better understand and respect each other,” Mayor Eidam said. “If Cultural Celebration Day brings people together in music, dance, food and fun, we’ll have accomplished our goal.”

Take a peek at the fun and excitement below!

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