2015 Parade of Nations offers colorful entertainment, exotic international cuisine TOMORROW, SEPT. 19

By Michele Bourdieu

More than 60 countries are represented in the annual Parade of Nations. Here participants cross the Portage Lift Bridge between Hancock and Houghton during the 2014 Parade of Nations. (2014 Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON-HANCOCK -- The 26th Parade of Nations is TOMORROW, SATURDAY, SEPT. 19! The parade begins at 11 a.m in Hancock and concludes in downtown Houghton. Following the parade the Multi-cultural Festival will take place in Dee Stadium.

The Multi-cultural Festival in Dee Stadium includes a wide variety of tasty international dishes like these at the Iranian booth at the 2014 Festival.

Win a trip to Chicago!

At 1 p.m. the drawing will be held for a trip to Chicago for a family of four, including air fare, two nights in a hotel and tickets to Chicago attractions.

To be entered in the drawing, make a posterboard-sized sign that says "I Love PON" and hold it up during the parade. You can substitute a heart for the word "love." Then watch for the blue "Love Bug" -- a Volkswagen beetle painted blue, with hearts on the sides. Love Bug attendants dressed in blue shirts will be walking beside the car, handing out tickets for the drawing. You must be present to win.

Videos, more photos of the 2014 Parade of Nations:

Dignitaries from Michigan Tech and Finlandia universities lead the 2014 Parade of Nations, along with the Michigan Tech Pep Band. (2014 Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Calumet High School's Spanish Club, with their teacher, Cindy Miller (third from right) line up on the Quincy Green for the 2014 Parade.

A smiling group from Bangladesh wear colorful dress for the Parade.

Kiko and kids represent their native Brazil.

Dancers and drummers from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community add color and music to the 2014 Parade as it continues through Hancock on the way to Houghton.

 

Finland is always well represented in the Parade by local residents of Finnish descent and Finlandia University students.

The Nepalese student group, well represented here with their colorful dress and flags, collected funds for earthquake relief in their country last spring.

The Indian Students Association at Michigan Tech is well known for their prize-winning floats in the Parade.

Several African countries are represented in the Parade, including Nigeria.

Argentine cooks present their delicacies at the Multi-cultural Festival in Dee Stadium.

The Kivajat youth dancers perform Finnish dances during the Festival.

Meghan Pachmayer, left, and Anna Leppanen offer Finnish goodies for sale during the Multi-cultural Festival. Watch for their booth again tomorrow!

Chinese students perform a graceful traditional women's dance during the 2014 Festival.

More lovely Chinese ladies serve some of their favorite cuisine.

Last but not least, the crowd goes wild for the Indian students' Bollywood performance!