UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — Drums from the Far East, dancing from the Middle East and singing from Africa will showcase the diversity of Penn State New Kensington at the first International Children’s Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the campus Athletics Center. The theme of the festival is “Different Colors, Different Cultures, One World.”
Designed for children and students of all ages, the event will feature live performances and workshops, arts and crafts exhibits, bilingual book readings, cultural displays and a bouncy ball court. The interactive activities will provide an entertaining learning experience for kids and parents. The festival is free to the public.
Children will receive a colorful wristband and a “passport,” which will be stamped with a star at each of the seven continents they can visit. In addition, kids can take selfies with famous landmarks from around the world, such as the Eifel Tower, Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls.
Performances and workshops will include Taiko drumming and Steel Dragon Lion dancing from Japan, dancing from India and the Middle East, drumming and dancing performances from Africa, and karaoke from Malawi, a country in southeast Africa. Youngsters can learn to salsa at a dance workshop.
Arts and crafts from around the world, organized by JoAnn Wesolosky, an instructor for the campus' Kids in College summer program, will feature origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, a piñata and Chinese lanterns. One of the craft tables is sponsored by Melba Amador, instructor in Spanish, and the campus’ Spanish Club. Amador joined the faculty in August and brought a wealth of Latino, Chicano and Latin America culture to the campus.
During the “Book Nook” session, children stories will be read in several languages. Clothing and fashion by students and faculty will highlight a variety of heritages. The campus racquetball court will house a giant global ball for kids to toss around.
Diversity is the cornerstone of Chancellor Kevin Snider’s administration. Since he was appointed in 2008, the campus has become more diversified, experiencing an increase in international and African-American students and faculty. Nineteen percent of faculty and 12 percent of the student body identify themselves as of international or African-American descent.
The festival is sponsored by the campus’ Office of Student Affairs, Diversity Team, and Student Government Association. Although most campus activities tend to favor the “traditional age” student, those from 18 to 24 years old, the children’s festival was developed with the focus on adult learners and military veterans. This group comprises approximately 25 percent of the campus student population. Many work full time while supporting a family.
“One of the main reasons for this family-friendly event is in support of the adult learners on campus,” said Theresa Bonk, director of student affairs. “Many of our events are geared toward traditional age students. We wanted to encourage and support our older students with more family activities.”
For more information on the festival, call 724-334-6062.
Volunteers neededCampus students, faculty and staff, as well as community organizations, are encouraged to share their heritage and culture at the festival. Tables will be available for individuals and groups to display clothing, musical instruments and other items from their native countries.
“It would be great if individuals wore traditional clothing,” said Julie Miller, graduate assistant at the campus and coordinator of the event. “We would like the festival to be an opportunity for kids to ask questions about something that they might not be familiar with in terms of wardrobe or traditional dress from a culture that is different than their own.”
The festival committee is looking for volunteers to read at the Book Nook, teach dancing at the workshops, and sing, dance or play a musical instrument. People also are needed to supervise the art and craft tables and bouncy ball room.
To volunteer, contact Miller at 724-334-6064 or jam1036@psu.edu.