The event celebrates the wide variety of cultures in the Four Corners region and will feature a street fair, cultural dance, music and performance art, a wide variety of festival booths and even a parade. The festival begins at 3:45 p.m. on Friday and will conclude around 7 p.m. on Sunday.
A parade, scheduled for Friday, will feature participants in their native dress. Local performers including the Balet Folklorico, Taiko drummers, and Desert Veils have been invited to participate.
Several guest speakers and films will focus on topics that explore multicultural values and perspectives. The list of presenters includes noted Navajo storyteller Lucille Hunt; Tony Yapias, former director of Utah's Office of Hispanic Affairs and editor/publisher of UtahLatinos.com, and Yukio Kachi, retired professor of philosophy and multicultural scholar.
Armando Solorzano, associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah, will speak about his photo history exhibit, "Latinos in Utah," being displayed in the office hallways at City Center and in the Grand County Public Library.
Three films ‒ "The Return of Navajo Boy," "ONE," and "Cartas del Otra Lado (Letters from the Other Side," ‒ will be presented. The films highlight the similarities and differences within cultures. Public discussions will follow each film screening.
Throughout the three-day event, exhibition booths will feature food, crafts and information. A children's area will be available offering henna tattoos, face painting, and other craft and game activities.
Sunday's events will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food, Balet Folklorico performances, several Mexican singers, mariachi music and salsa/merengue dancing.
Vendors interested in reserving a booth must submit an application by April 28, 2008. Complete details are available online at www.moabvalleymulticulturalcenter.org/festivalofcultures.
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