International foods, talent, fun at 2017 Parade of Nations Sept. 16

A large crowd enjoys the great variety of international foods during the Multicultural Festival following the 2016 Parade of Nations in the Dee Stadium in Houghton. This year's Parade of Nations will be Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (2016 photos by Keweenaw Now)

By Jennifer Donovan, Michigan Tech Director of News and Media Relations
Posted Sept. 5, 2017, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted with permission
2016 photos by Keweenaw Now

HOUGHTON -- Foods from around the world -- including dishes from Iran, Indonesia, China, India, Ghana, Turkey, Nepal, Bangladesh, Africa and Ukraine -- are on the menu at this year’s Parade of Nations Multicultural Festival.

The Multicultural Festival, starting at noon Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Dee Stadium, follows the Parade.

International entertainment is also on tap, with the Kivajat Finnish folk dancers, belly dancing by 47 North, a Bollywood extravaganza performed by Michigan Technological University’s Indian Student Association, a Keweenaw Bay Indian Community performance, the Michigan Tech Dance Team, the Maple Sugar Folk and singer Jan Arnold.

Dancers and drummers from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) perform during the 2016 Multicultural Festival. They will perform again this year.

A crafts tent will be outside the Dee, and the upstairs ballroom in the stadium will feature quieter seating for diners and a series of Gappa talks by international students from Michigan Tech. Gappa is a Hindi word meaning "chit-chat," a chance for Multicultural Festival guests to learn about and interact informally with international students.

Members of Michigan Tech's Indian Student Association perform a lively dance during the 2016 Multicultural Festival. They will perform again this year in Dee Stadium.

Headline Act -- China Gold

This year’s headline act is China Gold, a martial arts-based performance featuring lighting, music, choreography and stage effects highlighting feats of athleticism and gymnastic prowess. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Rozsa Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and no charge for students who have paid the Experience Tech fee. The headline act is sponsored in part by the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts and the MUB Board.

(Inset poster courtesy Rozsa Center)

The theme of this year’s Parade of Nations is "Think Globally, Celebrate Locally."

Parade begins at 11 a.m. in Hancock

Representatives of many countries line up for the Parade on the Quincy Green, near the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. Participants from Turkey are pictured here with the university mascots -- Michigan Tech's Huskey and Finlandia's Lion -- in preparation for the 2016 Parade of Nations.

The Parade, featuring floats and flags of more than 60 nations, begins at 11 a.m. in Hancock and crosses the Portage Lift Bridge, proceeding through downtown Houghton to the Dee Stadium. This year’s parade marshal is Rick Buis Stanitis, director of Canterbury House.

Two representatives of Argentina, Gustavo Bourdieu and friend Sara, march in the 2016 Parade of Nations as it heads from Hancock to the Portage Lift Bridge and Houghton.

Parade goers will have a chance to win a Chicago Getaway package including airfare and hotel accommodations for two and a "Go Chicago" card good for three attractions. To enter, all you have to do is hold up an "I love Parade of Nations" sign during the parade. The winner will be announced at the Multicultural Festival following the parade.

Parade of Nations T-shirts are for sale for $20 at the International Programs and Services online store. Donations to the event can also be made at that site.

This is the 28th annual Parade of Nations, a celebration of the international heritage and multi-cultural essence of the community. Parade of Nations is sponsored by Michigan Tech, Finlandia University, and community businesses and residents.

More photos from the 2016 Parade of Nations:

Young KBIC dancers wear colorful regalia for their 2016 performance in the Dee Stadium. Watch for them again this year!

Local residents Barbara Quenzi, left, and Joanne Thomas carry the flag and banner for Croatia, the country of their ancestors.

These lovely young ladies remind us of our southern neighbor.
 

Huskies get ready to march in the parade.

...and here are just a few more of the many countries represented by our international students: