34th Annual Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival is Sept. 16

This year's Parade of Nations theme is "Fairy Tales from Around the World." Natalia, a senior student at Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, won this year’s Michigan Tech Parade of Nations logo contest. Her art teacher, Heather French, says Natalia loves art and she will be going to college for graphic design. (Logo by Natalia courtesy Parade of Nations)

The world flags have been raised from Hancock to Houghton! The 34th Annual Michigan Tech Parade of Nations, the Keweenaw’s premier multicultural celebration, is gearing up for a stacked event beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Michigan Tech students and local Keweenaw organizations will begin the parade at 11 a.m. on Hancock’s Quincy Green and head across the Portage Lift Bridge to Dee Stadium in Houghton. This year’s theme, "Fairy Tales from Around the World," has been selected to delight children and families who come to enjoy the parade.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will lead the parade from Hancock through downtown Houghton and down to the Dee. Spectators can expect floats decorated to reflect the fairy tales told around the world, walking groups with goodies to toss, and beautiful displays of dress and music!

Following the parade, the Multicultural Festival begins at noon at Dee Stadium. Find food, drink, music, dance, comedy and crafts throughout the day brought to you by MTU student groups and local businesses. Proceeds from student group food sales goes to supporting their organizations.

Flavors to Savor: Student Groups

    African Student Organization
    Bangladeshi Students
    Indian Students Association
    Iranian Community
    Muslim Student Association
    Nepalese Student Organization
    Society of Hispanic Engineers
    Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Flavors to Savor: Keweenaw Businesses

    Sky Sushi
    The Forge
    Munchee Machine
    Keweenaw Coffee Works
    Griffin Café
    Border Grill
    Nisu Café
    Pepsi Booth

Learn and Play:

    MTU Study Abroad
    International Neighbors
    ICE Services
    Kids Booth
    Face Painting
    Cross-Cultural Craft Booth
    Gen X, Y, I Podcast

Entertainment:

    Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC)
    Kivijat -- Finnish Dancers
    Frozen Squid Comedy
    Husky Tae Kwon Do and Keweenaw Korean Martial Arts
    Nepalese Student Organization
    Bangladeshi Student Organization
    Indian Student Association

Memories of 2022 Parade of Nations:

Members of Michigan Tech's African Students' Organization gather on Quincy Green in Hancock, ready to march in the 2022 Parade of Nations. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

A group from Bangladesh, wearing traditional dress, gathers for photos before the start of the 2022 Parade.

Displaying their flags and signs, students representing South American countries prepare to march together in the 2022 Parade of Nations.

Led by participants from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the 2022 Parade of Nations begins in Hancock with representatives of many countries. Click on YouTube for larger screen. (Videos by Keweenaw Now) 

During the 2022 Parade of Nations, Yoopers for Ukraine head across the Portage Lift Bridge from Hancock to Houghton with their prize-winning float. Watch for their new float this Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023!

As the 2022 Parade of Nations participants arrive in Houghton, they pass the judges. The Michigan Tech Pep Band provides lively music.

For more information on this year's Parade of Nations activities, visit the Parade of Nations website.