The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
CULTURES OFFER INSPIRATION
International Festival ends with another successful year
The Lorain International Festival celebrated another successful year of recognizing and celebrating a vast number and variety of cultures represented by the community.
“It was another great year for us,” said Ben Davey, president of the Lorain International Association Festival. “We will be wrapping up the festivities later today with another great day of food, performances and the cultures that inspire them.”
Davey said the highlight of the final day of the festival, the International Festival Parade, was the largest he has seen at the festival in at least a decade.
“We had a bunch of different groups participate in this year’s parade,” he said. “We had a bunch of different queens and princesses representing other festivals from all over Ohio as well as the participants from our own contest. We also had plenty of floats, drum lines and marchers. They all marched down Broadway creating a great and exciting spectacle.”
Davey said the only issue that arose this year was the weather.
“You can’t change mother nature, you are at her mercy with events
"... another great day of food, performances and the cultures that inspire them."
— Ben Davey, president of the Lorain International Association Festival
this,” he said. “We had a bit of a rain out on Day 1, June 22, but the past couple of days have been great. Fortunately, the community has come out despite the questionable weather. It hasn’t really affected our attendance at all really. We had just under 11,000 people attend, so it still was a very good turnout. We usually expect a day to get rained out, so this is par for the course.”
Davey said the spotlight organization and culture did a fantastic job helping with the festival.
“Puerto Rican, as the culture, and The Lorain Public Library System, as the organization, really stepped up big time this year,” he said. “The Puerto Rican culture was a very active partner creating a book of Puerto Rican recipes and history that they gave out at the International Festival Breakfast June 20 at German’s Villa, 3330 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion. They also ran two booths at the festival and were featured in the entertainment as well. The Library also did a great job of helping out. This included a scrap book they made that chronicled the festival in a beautiful way.”
Davey also announced next year’s spotlight culture and organization.
“I am very happy to announce that Irish culture and Second Harvest Food Bank will be the spotlights for the 53rd Annual Lorain International Festival,” he said. “I’m really excited to see what both groups will bring to the event. It will be very exciting. We have already started to plan for next year’s festival and will begin laying the groundwork in September. It is a 10 month process of preparing, but it is worth it for days like this.”
Davey said he enjoys being president of the festival and appreciates it more and more each year.
“It is a great event that brings many cultures together,” he said. “The event also serves as an educational experience. There is a lot people take away from this festival about other cultures. It is truly a wonderful event. I’m very happy with the turnout this year and look forward to next year’s festival.”
Emily Hetrick, 17, of Elyria, who was crowned Queen of the festival representing the Hungarian nationality, said it has been an unforgettable experience being a part of the festival.
“It has been amazing working on the festival,” she said. “It feels like so much happens in a very short time. I have loved working with all of the ladies in this court. We have really bonded and made friendships for life.”
Emma Kelley, 17, a senior at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst and first runner-up for the International Festival’s Queen representing Lebanese culture, said it was a crazy weekend, but very enjoyable.
“The food is always amazing and it was fun being a member of the festival’s royal court,” she said. “There are so many little girls who love to see us in our dresses; it’s all very exciting.”
Melissa Eis, director of Deputies Baton, Flag and Drum Corps., led her group during the festival parade.
“It is a going to be a fun experience, the kids are really looking forward to it,” she said. “We are comprised of kids from schools all over Lorain County and love to be a part of festivals like this one.”
Mark Rodgers, of Lorain, said he was at the parade to see his daughter, Gina Rodgers.
“She will be marching with Lorain Community Music Theater, so I’m excited to see her,” he said. “I’ve been to this festival since I was a kid, so this really brings it full circle. It is really great that the festival is still continuing. It is a great event every year.”