MANKATO AREA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2008
Sunday, April 20th, 2008 at Mankato Area Public Schools' East High School from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
HISTORY AND INFORMATION
The International Festival is organized jointly by International Center, International Student Association, Mankato Area Schools/Colleges, and Mankato Area International Community every year during the spring semester. This year's Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 20th from 11:00 am- 4:00 p.m. Over the years, the Festival has grown to be a highly anticipated event in Southern Minnesota with attendance in the thousands. Our mission remains to encourage, sponsor, and support cultural appreciation and diversity within the Mankato area. Admission, entertainment and parking are free!
The event will include such activities as a flag parade, entertainment with singing & dancing, a style show, food booths, cultural displays, a children's area for making crafts, a silent auction to raise funds for the International Festival, and vendors selling various cultural items.
This event provides a common message of peace, harmony and friendship. It also gives an opportunity for attendees to experience various cultures under a single roof. We hope you join us!
32nd Annual International Festival - Theme "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges"
Tentative Schedule
11:00 Doors open at East for the Festival
11:15 Flag parade Processional: with American Indian students leading, Mankato dignitaries, followed by international students representing their countries
11:20 Smudging (a purification ceremony) performed in the auditorium stage. Dave Larsen, MSU Assistant Director for American Indian Affairs, will also provide a traditional Dakota Prayer Song
11:30 The Lion Dance Group from the Ha Family in St. Paul opens the entertainment.
11:45 Mankato Dignitaries provide a formal welcome to the event - All Entertainment, Food Booths, Cultural Booths, International Bazaar (Vendors), Children's World Activities, Demonstrations, Art Gallery, and Silent Auction continue throughout the day (program will include specific schedules and announcements for each area).
3:45 Flag Parade Recessional
4:00 Event Concludes
- Free Shuttle Schedule
- The shuttle will run on Saturday to Mankato East High School for volunteers that are helping to set up AND will run all day on Sunday for those wishing to attend the Festival.
TO PARTICIPATE
We are always looking to grow and expand. If you are interested in participating in or volunteering for the international festival please contact
laura.marsala@mnsu.edu or call the International Center 507-389-1281.
Currently we no longer accepting applications for commercial Vendors, Cultural Information Booths, Food Vendors, Performers, people interested in participating in a style show. However, we are still accepting donations to the Silent Auction - Cultural items that you may have will be auctioned to assist in keeping the International Festival FREE and open to the public. Proceeds from the Silent Auction off-set the costs of publicity/posters, printing, decorations, and other costs associated with making the International Festival shine!
2008 Applications for reference for future festivals:
PAST FESTIVALS - 2007
Publicity and News Coverage
Television News Coverage on 4/22/07: http://www.keyc.tv/article/view/120289/
Program with Entertainment Schedule Insert, Food Booths Insert, Recognition & Announcements Insert; Children's & Teen World Insert
2007 Press Release
2007 Poster
Centered Magazine Advertisement
Free Shuttle Schedule
Past Event Highlights
- The event starts at 11 a.m. with food booths and vendors selling items (many for student organization fundraisers).
- There will be a flag parade processional with a Native American Opening Ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m-Dignitaries also expected to welcome the attendees.
- The entertainment begins after opening which will be held in the Auditorium.
- A Children and Teen World area provide opportunities for youth crafts, stories, and activities.
- Free Salsa dancing lessons from 1:30 - 2:30 and Cricket demonstration from 2:30 - 3:30 pm in the Gymnasium.
- A Silent Auction fundraiser in Room 107 helps off-set costs and ensures future International Festivals remain free to the public - at 3:00 pm the bids close.
- At 3:45 there will be a flag recessional to conclude the event at 4 p.m..
We invite your Comments and Evaluation of the 2007 Festival - you may also complete to volunteer to be a part of the planning for the 2008 International Festival. The annual event is held in the Spring (date for 2008 to yet be determined).
