Local Colors Festival - May 21, 2011

You know an event is a success when your child says, "That sure was fun. Thanks Mom!" Those were the words I got to hear as I was pulling out of the parking garage this afternoon. So, thank you Roanoke for giving me a special moment with my sons. We arrived at the festival at about 11:45am and just caught the tail-end of the Countries Parade. The kids were interested in the people walking across the stage -what they were wearing, what their language was like, etc- I think if they were a year older, they would have even enjoyed it more. We missed all the stage action after the parade because the food was located in a different area. Sure, it was nice walking through the booths set up in Elmwood Park. They were selling goods from the country and had a lot of information. I would have loved to spend more time poking around the booths, but I did have a little trouble pushing around the umbrella stroller (note to self, this was a bad time to sell the heavy duty stroller). I can't wait to enjoy festivals without strollers. So, we wandered up to Jefferson Street where the food vendors and a kids' corner set up. The kids' corner had a face painter, free popcorn, and free caricatures. We put our names on the list for caricatures and wandered off to find lunch. It was one of the hardest food decisions I had to make in a while. I love my Asian foods- Japanese, Chinese, and Thai options. I even think there was Vietnamese options. Then we had the Spanish inspired options- Mexican, Cuban, etc. There were Middle Eastern options- such as Syria. There were also French, German, and Polish options. I settled on Vegetable Fried Rice and an Egg Roll from the Thai vendor. I went back for a French Crepe as dessert. There is nothing better than fresh strawberries and Nutella wrapped up in a warm crepe. The boys settled on Hot Dogs from the American vendor and a Popsicle for dessert from the Mexican vendor. I was truly let down that I couldn't find a Gyro there though. That is my absolute favorite Foreign meal. The day couldn't have been better. I am always amazed to realize that we are at a festival for hours (we didn't leave until after 3pm) when I think we will only make it for an hour. I am so glad that I got to share this event with my little guys and I cannot wait until next year.

Here is the 2011 Schedule of events:

12:00	Egyptian Belly Dance (Shamadan)		Thana Toregas
12:15	Mexican Children Dancers		Zaida Ceballos, Kimberly
12:20	Caribbean Instrumental		Richard Rudolph
12:30	Spanish Dance: Roanoke Ballet Theatre		Zuheil A. Bañuelos, Sandra Mayhaler
12:40	Philippine Fashion Show		Cani
12:45	Philippine Church Choir		Jesus The Redeemer Church
12:50	Brazilian Martial Arts		Capoeria Alex
1:00	Polynesian Tahitian Dance		Maka
1:05	Native American Singers		Azuree Windwalker
1:10	American Clogging, Miss Roanoke Valley's Outstanding Preteen		Sydney Carmony, Donna
1:20	Burmese/Myanmar Dance & Drumming		Bea Sellinger
1:25	Fashion Show: Pose 4 Purpose, Continental Fashion		Jason & Heather Moore, Ashley Glass
1:35	Chinese Martial Arts:Shaolin Dragons		David White
1:50	Casino Rueda (Cuban Salsa)		Salsa Noke
1:55	Brazilian Singer: Berg Martins		Ruzenburg
2:05	Bachata: Dominican Dance		Salsa Noke
2:10	Polynesian & Samoan Dancers & Drummers: Paradise Journey		Ilima Noble
2:30	Fashion Show Fashionista		Garland Gravely, Mary Guirguis
2:45	Zumba Dancing		Maka, Eduardo
2:55	Egyptian Fashion Show		Mary Guirguis
3:00	Ukrainian Instrumental Bandura		Olga Vlasova
3:15	Mexican: Aztec Dancers		Miguel Mendosa
3:30	Syria: Dance		Samar Karkenny
3:40	Middle Eastern Dancing		Gracie Moore
3:50	English Contra Dancers		John O’Brian
4:00	Korean Fashion		Han-Ja Cho
4:10	Sudanese Children Dancing &Singing		Emanual
4:20	American Dancing Club Rockers		Arthur Hook
4:30	Polynesian Dancing Rhythm Fire		Ilima M.
4:45	African: Sisters of the Circle, Price Center of Dance		Nakia Price Palmer
5:00	African Waka Waka Universal Dance		Jebet Kibogy

Highlight of Festival Events

All Day Events

• For children there are PHOTO PASSPORTS ($1.00) available that can be stamped by each country booth that they visit and learn about.
• Children’s Games (inside the city library)
• Spectacular display by "Sons of Norway" - Longhouse - Viking Reenactments
• Hot dogs and Hamburgers grilled at the America Booth for those with picky eating little ones

For Sale

• Passports $1.00 w photos
• Local Colors T-shirts $10.00, Adults and Children’s Sizes
• Globes
• Authentic International Food Booths galore (on Bullit Ave)

  Sample foods from all over the world, such as:
  Falafel Tabhoulli Hummus Baklava Norwegian Våffler Lutefisk (norwegian fish) Vegemite (Australia) Australian Sausage Rolls Spanakopita (spinach & feta pie) Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) Paximathia (greek biscotti)	Vietnamese eggrolls Indian Curry Naan bread Tandoori Korean dumplings Barbequed beef German pastry Shortbread Irish soda bread Greek Coffee Honduran Coffee