International Festival 2008

On April 26, 2008, the Associated Students put on an International Festival in the downtown plaza from 11 am to 6 pm.  When I first heard about the event, I was very curious to know what the Chico community was going to bring to the table.  Obviously food was going to be included, but I was curious about the different events and groups that were going to be participating. 

I soon set out on my adventure early in the afternoon in the hot Chico sun.  When I arrived to the downtown plaza, my expectations were not let down since I found myself engulfed in the festival.  Different booths of different organizations within the college as well as the community were set up.  Each one brought something different to the table. Many booths sold items such as clothing and jewelry, where others passed out different types of foods, each one representing their culture. Some of the different organizations that participated were: the Mein Student Association, the Movimiento Estudintil Chicano de Aztlan, the Filipino American Student Association, and the Asian Christian Fellowship.

In the middle of the booths there was an area that seemed to be blocked off for dancing.  On the stage there was a band that was set up anticipating to play their music to the crowd that was starting to form. Groups such as the The Loyd Family Players also joined in with the festivities.

I found this festival a great way to start off International Educational Week.  It truly showed me how diverse Chico is and showed how different cultures are accepted in Chico.  On the outside, I always saw the Chico community as being one-sided to a certain part of the community.  As a student, I’ve never really been involved with any of the intercultural activity that has taken place in Chico.  Sadly, it has taken me four years to realize that there is more to Chico than just meets the eye. 

When looked at closely, this neighborhood has more character and diversity than some small towns.  Not only does it accept the different cultures within it, but it makes the rest of the community aware of the different types of diversity Chico   possesses by having events such as this one.