Friendship Festival brings cultures together

By Lisa Kaczke | The Daily Journal

Published 11:14 a.m., June 19, 2009

Visitors and residents don’t need to travel very far to experience other cultures.

“The world has come to Pelican Rapids,” said Johanna Christianson, chairwoman of the 12th Annual International Friendship Festival, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Pelican Rapids.

The festival is sponsored by the Pelican Rapids Multi-Cultural Committee and the Pelican Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

The festival is a time for the community to share the diversity and excitement of Pelican Rapids with others, Christianson said. It’s also an event to celebrate friendship, the community and the summer, she added.

This year’s theme is Many Cultures, One Community: Sharing our Stories because “everyone has a story,” Christianson said. The activities planned focus on storytelling.

The highlight of the festival will be a naturalization ceremony. Although its not a new event, it doesn’t happen very often, she said.

“It’s a significant, meaningful experience,” Christianson said, encouraging people to attend the ceremony.

The naturalization ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. today at E.L. Peterson park. In the case of rain, the event will be held in the Pelican Rapids High School Fine Arts Auditorium.

Although the number of people becoming citizens at the ceremony won’t be known until a day or two beforehand, Christianson expects people from around Minnesota to attend the ceremony. Several people in Pelican Rapids are also planning to become citizens during the ceremony, she said.

“Once you’ve passed the test, you are eager to become a citizen,” she said.

Another significant event during the festival is the flag raising, planned for noon Saturday in E.L. Peterson Park. The United States is where things are possible, Christianson said, adding that “it’s what unites us all.”

During the flag raising, music will be played by the Band of Faith. In addition to performing the National Anthem, it will also perform the national anthems of the countries which are represented by the residents of Pelican Rapids, Christianson said.

Other events Friday include a Native American art exhibit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pelican Rapids Public Library. Free hot dogs and beverages will be offered at a Good Neighbor picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Center.

The festival also focuses on creativity in art, music and dancing, according to Christianson. On Friday, children will be able to create Mexican tissue paper flowers, Chinese silk grass mosaics and Venetian feather masks at the International Kids Crafts from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pelican Rapids Public Library.

Friday’s events will conclude with a walking tour of historic Pelican Rapids at 6:30 p.m., which is a popular event every year, according to Christianson.

“It shows the history of the community as we celebrate what this community has become,” she said.

Tour guides will be Marguerite Andrews and Chris Schuelke from the Otter Tail County Historical Society. The tour will start and end at Scoops, where free ice cream cones will be offered.

Events on Saturday will be kicked off with Chalk the Walk at 9 a.m. People of all ages are encouraged to decorate a sidewalk on Broadway to celebrate the community and international friendships. Those who wish to participate can register at Pelican Rapids City Hall and also pick up the chalk. Musicians are welcome to perform during Chalk the Walk also. The Red River Dixieland Band will perform on the sidewalk on Broadway from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The event is also an opportunity for people to come downtown to stroll, get coffee and do some shopping, she said.

Several events are slated to take place in Sherin Park Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a Faces of Change photo documentary of Pelican Rapids residents will be on display in the park. A market of ethnic arts and crafts demonstrations is set to take place in the park from noon to 4:30 p.m. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., children’s crafts and games from around the world will be taking place in the park. People can also hit a piñata at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. World music and dancing will take place in the Sherin Park Shelter from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ethnic food, including American, Bosnian, German, Mexican, Scandinavian, Somali and Vietnamese, will be offered in the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, the suspension bridge connecting the two parks will be lined with the flags of the countries represented by Pelican Rapids residents.

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