SPOKANE, Wash. – Thousands of families filled Riverfront Park for the 31st annual Unity in the Community celebration, a multicultural event that organizers say has become more important than ever in today’s climate.
“We need unity now more than ever,” said event organizer Mareesa Henderson.
The celebration brings together people from various cultural backgrounds to promote understanding and connection across different communities.
“It is really about helping youth understand the different cultures that are represented here,” Henderson said.
At the heart of the event lies the cultural village, where children receive passports at the start of their journey. As they visit different cultural booths throughout the park, they collect stamps in their passports. Upon completion, children receive bags filled with back-to-school supplies tailored to their specific grade levels.
The event has experienced remarkable growth since its inception in 1994, expanding from just a few vendors to 150. Those organizations cover topics ranging from health education to senior resources.
Marylou Buan has witnessed this transformation firsthand, having participated in Unity in the Community since the event began.
“The Philippines is my motherland, but the United States is my fatherland,” Buan said.
For Buan, the event’s focus on children drives her continued participation year after year.
“Unless they go out of the country, they wouldn’t know that there’s another world outside there,” Buan said.
The celebration serves multiple purposes beyond cultural education. Community organizations use the event as an opportunity to connect with residents and discover other local resources.
Gaye Hallman, founder of A Woman’s Worth, highlighted the networking benefits of the gathering.
“If there are organizations that we’re not aware of and they’re not aware of us, they come through our booth, and then we get connected. After that, we just stay connected,” Hallman said. “It’s really amazing how many people you can meet.”
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