By Allie Perison
Editor-in-Chief
On Sept. 12, Coppell citizens had the opportunity to explore the world without leaving the suburbs. The Festival of Nations took place at Coppell Town Center Plaza.
This year’s Festival of Nations event marks the second celebration of culture in Coppell. Last year, Coppell librarian Amy Pittman-Hassatt founded the event as a way to highlight and appreciate the diversity in the community.
“People come to the library and have very culturally diverse backgrounds,” Pittam-Hassat said. “We want to celebrate the fact that we are all here and give everyone an opportunity to meet their neighbors.”
While last year’s Festival of Nations was considered a success, it left room for improvement. This year, public service librarian Jennifer Perryman was in charge of putting on the affair and wanted things to be bigger and better.
Having the event at the Town Center Plaza gave the library a chance to expand the festival. More people could be fit in an outdoor venue.
Other changes include wider community participation, more cultures involved and a children’s naturalization ceremony. With the help of the Museum of Culture and other small groups, countries such as China, India, Ghana and Kenya were represented along with other nations at this year’s celebration.
Before the ceremony, at 10 a.m., a children’s naturalization ceremony took place. Homeland Security approached the festival last year asking if they could put on the event before the festival. Mayor Jane Peters and councilwoman Brianna Hinojosaflores attended to welcome the new citizens. Children said the pledge and sang the national anthem.
There was plenty to do for both adults and children. Booths with activities like origami, painting and henna tattoos were all available. Festival goers were also treated to a play performed by children that included songs and stories about their culture. Other festivities included a lion dance, a fashion show, kung fu, and a Chinese yoyo demonstration. Local businesses also played their parts by providing necessities like food. Fat Daddy’s Burger House, Healthy Me Foods and Kaurina’s bubble tea all supplied some of the cultural delicacies.
Coppell High School students also got involved. The Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) worked booths with brochures and informed community members about different cultures.
“The Festival of Nations promotes awareness,” JWAC sponsor Rita Bauer said. “It is about celebrating our differences and seeing how meaningful they are. We all have things we value and cherish that we need to share and appreciate about each other.”
Despite heavy rain, the festival was a beautiful spectrum of colors with people dressed in vivid outfits traditional to their homelands. Booths displayed jewelry, sculptures, clothing, and instruments all original to the nation’s culture.
“My family and I put on the Chinese booth,” Coppell resident Johnny Sun said. “We like to showcase our culture because it’s our opportunity to be involved in the world. As foreigners we don’t always have that chance.”
Coppell residents came out to enjoy all the sights and sounds the fair had to offer.
“This festival is a great way to share in the community and expose my son to stuff he doesn’t see everyday,” Coppell father Mark Standfill said. “It’s a way for us to look at the way the world is changing.”
Despite ending early because of rain, the Festival of Nations is considered a success by participants.