Parade of Nations brings world of food, festivities to the Keweenaw

By Jennifer Donovan, Michigan Tech Director of Public Relations
Photos of 2010 Parade by Keweenaw Now and friends

The Cass Tech Marching Band from Detroit returned to Houghton-Hancock for the 2010 Parade of Nations. (Photo © 2010 and courtesy Roland Burgan)

HOUGHTON -- It’s become a fall tradition in Houghton and Hancock: mid-September means exotic foods, native costumes, music and dancing from around the world. In other words, it’s Parade of Nations time.

The 22nd Parade of Nations is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17. The annual celebration of the multicultural nature of the Michigan Tech community has been growing in popularity every year. This year's theme is "Spice is Always Nice."

Finland and El Salvador are among the many countries represented in the Parade. (Photo © 2010 and courtesy Anita Campbell)

The parade begins at 11 a.m. in front of the old Hancock Middle School in downtown Hancock. It will cross the bridge and move east on Shelden Avenue through downtown Houghton to the Citgo gas station, where it will turn left and head for the Dee Stadium.

Japanese students and friends from Finlandia University gather in front of the former Hancock Middle School for the start of the 2010 Parade of Nations. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

The cities of Houghton and Hancock and Finlandia University partner with Michigan Tech to help make the event a community-wide gala. This year for the first time the Parade of Nations has named a community honorary chair, Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes. Parade marshal is Michigan Tech’s retiring Dean of Students Gloria Melton.

Who are these familiar-looking guys with the Argentine flag? (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

More than 60 countries will be represented in the parade and the multicultural festival that follows at the Dee Stadium, featuring the Limanya Drum and Dance Ensemble. The West African performers showcase the musical and dance traditions of Guinea. The group is led by Mandjou Mara, a master djembe player and griot (praise singer) from Guinea, West Africa.

Indian students perform a couples dance from their country during the 2010 Parade of Nations entertainment in Dee Stadium. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

From noon to 4 p.m., the Dee will be the site of international feasting, stage entertainment, and free pony rides, face painting and supervised arts and crafts for the children. Admission is free.

Visitors taste a variety of exotic dishes at the international food booths in Dee Stadium after the 2010 Parade of Nations. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Food will be prepared by cooks representing at least 15 nations, including Thailand, Italy, India, Mexico, China, Japan, and of course, Finland. Khana Khazana ("food treasure") a group of international student cooks at Michigan Tech, will serve Thai, Middle Eastern and Indian food. Michigan Tech’s Thai Student Association will cook the Thai dish that topped the CNN poll of the 50 most delicious foods in the world: spicy, coconut-rich, sweet and savory Massaman curry.

Thailand is always well represented by Dr. Sripaipan, third from left, his family and friends. Here they are preparing for the 2010 Parade. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Click here to read the rest of Jennifer Donovan's article about the 2011 Parade of Nations in the Michigan Tech News.