Ninth Annual Toledo Sister Cities International Festival Happens Saturday, April 14
(Toledo, OH) --- Jim Hartung, President, Toledo Sister Cities International Board of Trustees, announced today that the Ninth Annual International Festival will take place Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Toledo Seagate Center, 401 Jefferson St., in Toledo.
The Toledo Sister Cities International Festival, which holds the distinction of being the first festival of the season in Northwest Ohio, is sponsored by The University of Toledo, The Blade, Promedica, Reynolds Clinic, Doug Howard Builders, The Beirut Restaurant, and Avis Rent-A-Car. Participating countries include Spain, China, Hungary, Poland, Japan, Tanzania, Germany, Lebanon, Pakistan and India.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony --- The Parade of Nations --- at 11 a.m. What follows is a day-long event celebrating cultures from around the world with live performances representing ethnic groups from our Sister Cities and our local community.
(Editor’s note: See events schedule at the end of the release).
There will also be authentic ethnic food available from several participating countries, as well as world beers. Other vendors will be on hand to offer crafts and other goods. Merchandise representing many other countries will be available. All Sister City clubs and committees and other local organizations with an international interest will have information and activities. There will also be an opportunity to learn a bit of a different language every half-hour. A new attraction this year is Hero's inflatable bouncy house.
“Northwest Ohio is unique compared to other parts of the United States. Research shows that 80 percent of the people who live in our area can trace their roots here. We are one of the most diverse regions in the U.S. The Sister Cities International Festival highlights that diversity with different ethnic entertainment, foods, crafts, souvenirs, and even a language corner,” said Mr. Hartung. “This really is our opportunity to share pride in our heritages and learn about other cultures --- To truly show the diversity of not just Toledo, but all of Northwest Ohio.”
Last year’s festival held at the University of Toledo had approximately 2,000 participants celebrating international diversity.
Admission in advance is $5. At the door general admission is $7. Seniors and students with ID's are $5. Children 10 & under are free.
Toledo Sister Cities International is a 501c3 organization and has been at the forefront of building international relationships between municipalities since 1931. It is widely believed that the first “sister city” relationship --- anywhere --- was established between Toledo, Ohio and Toledo, Spain that year. In 1956, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower continued to foster Sister Cities agreements on a mayor-to-mayor basis. Toledo Sister Cities International is celebrating its 25th year of service and has established agreements with Coimbatore (India); Coburg (Germany); Hyderabad (Pakistan); Poznan (Poland); Qinhuangdao & Nanchong (China); Szeged (Hungary); Tanga (Tanzania); Toledo (Spain); and Toyohashi (Japan). A regional agreement is in place with Bekaa Valley (Lebanon).
Toledo Sister Cities also runs the International Youth Academy, which brings youth from all over the world to Toledo for a two-week period during the summer months. Additionally, Toledo Sister Cities assists in the facilitation of area economic development ventures by providing cultural, educational, language and other key services.
For more information on the Ninth Annual Toledo Sister Cities International Festival visit www.toledosistercities.org or our Facebook page, Toledo Sister Cities International.
To become a member, volunteer, or make a tax deductible donation please contact us at scitoledo@gmail.com or P.O. Box 353004, Toledo, OH 43615.
Ninth Annual Toledo Sister Cities International Festival - Schedule of Events
11 a.m. Opening Ceremony and National Anthem with the Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra plays during the Parade of Nations
12 p.m. Language Corner, Room 104, where introductions to various foreign languages will be
conducted every 30 minutes
11:20 – 11:35 Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra
11:35 – 11:50 Ardan Academy of Irish Dance
11:50 – 12:05 Okinawan Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do-Advancing Karate, Ltd.
12:05 – 12:35 Zenobia Shrine and Friends Band
1:250 – 1:05 Diaspora
1:05 – 1:35 Toledo Polish American Concert Band
1:35 – 1:50 Molly’s Irish Dancers
1:50 – 2:05 El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folkloric
2:05 – 2:20 Millie’s Polka Band
2:20 – 2:35 Raffle / Auction & 50/50
2:35 – 2:50 Echoes of Poland Folk Song and Dance Ensemble
2:50 – 3:05 Three Amigos & St. John’s Jesuit High School Spanish Honor Society Students
3:05 – 3:20 Bavarian Sports Club D’HolzhackerBuam
3:20 – 3:35 Nepal Everest Group
3:35 – 3: 50 Gayaki Grooves Juniors
4:05 – 4:20 Chinese Association of Greater Toledo and Qinhuangdao & Nanchong China Sister
Cities Committee
4:20 – 4:35 Toledo Swiss Singers
4:35 – 4:50 Zen Contemporary Dance
4:50 – 5:05 Item Raffle / Auction & 50/50 Raffle
5:05 – 5:20 Bharatanatyam Indian Classical Dance Group of Sylvania:
5:20 – 5:35 Aegela Dance Company
5:35 – 5:50 Arya Dance Company (Bollywood)
5:50 – 6:05 Kaze No Daichi Taiko
6:35 – 6:50 Alvorada
7:20 – 7:35 Toledo Holzhackerbuam Schuhplattler Gruppe
7:50 – 8:00 Closing