City of Bellevue, BCC co-sponsor ‘Unify our Community’ Multi-Cultural Fair April 9

BELLEVUE, WASH.– A major celebration of the ‘melting pot’ that is the Greater Eastside will be held at Bellevue Community College on Saturday, April 9th, sponsored jointly by the college and the City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services Cultural Diversity Program.

The many-faceted, public celebration – called “Unifying our Community” – runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the BCC main campus (3000 Landerholm Cir. S.E., Bellevue). There is no charge for any of the fair’s scores of activities.

At the heart of the celebration is a series of events to help fair-goers learn about and experience the numerous world cultures represented among Greater Eastside residents.

Activities include performances of world music and dances, a festival of cultural films (including “Nazrah: A Muslim Woman's Perspective”), an ethnic food tasting, an Interfaith Café open discussion forum (providing opportunities to talk about various faiths and pertinent issues) and Conversations on Race and Culture.

Simultaneously, in programming that will appeal to all ages, the event will also feature a Kid’s Fair, including puppet shows, face painting, bean toss games, fire engines and an amazing 8-foot-tall giraffe puppet. Older kids will have the opportunity to participate in 3-on-3 basketball games.

For adults, the Kid’s Fair will offer exhibits and information on childcare, health and special needs children, with thirty-four vendors and support groups in attendance. Free kid’s ID cards will be distributed by law enforcement agencies.

And there’s more. Shop for gifts and décor among arts and crafts created by local artisans. Watch a presentation on fitness conditioning. Visit the Holistic Medicine Center (1-5 p.m. only), get a free 10-minute foot and hand therapy session from Reflexologist Wayne Nelson, and a free 15-minute massage session from acupressurist and massage therapist Vicki Draper.

Participating organizations include the Unity Project Interfaith Group, Chaya/Peaceful Families Task Force, the Interfaith Council/City of Bellevue, the Red Cross Language Bank, City of Bellevue/Citizenship Class, Youth Eastside Services, seven BCC student clubs, BCC athletics teams and cheerleaders and more than 50 other non-profit groups and vendors.

The Fair is being produced by BCC student leaders from student government, the Campus Activities Board and numerous campus clubs.

Those needing special accommodations in order to take part should contact Faisal Jaswal, (425) 564-6150 (TTY 425-564-4110) or fjaswal@bcc.ctc.edu.

For more information, go online to http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/stupro/events/index.asp#mainevent

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