With September upon us, Peoria’s various ethnic groups are gearing up for the 10th Annual WorldFest, the biggest celebration of cultural diversity in the area. This year’s event is set for Saturday, September 14th at the Civic Center. Record crowds are expected.
WorldFest was launched by the Civic Center Authority’s Cultural Diversity Committee to recognize Peoria’s different nationalities. It is held in conjunction with Youth Doing the Right Thing. Festivities include live entertainment, wonderful ethnic food, cultural displays, and unique items for sale at world market booths.
The Philippines will be represented by the Filipino-American Society of Central Illinois (FASCI) for the 10th consecutive year. Guests at the FASCI booths will be treated to attractive exhibits highlighting aspects of Filipino arts and culture. Among them are native arts and crafts made of bamboo, seashells, wood carvings (including a “bahay kubo” or nipa hut), dolls and miniatures of the country’s modes of transportation – jeepney, kalesa (horse-drawn carriage), tricycle. In addition several traditional costumes like the Maria Clara, Barong Tagalog, Mestiza dress, Balintawak, kimona, and terno will be on display.
FASCI will display posters about the Philippines – historical and geographical sites as well as tourist spots. There will be biographical information on two of the country’s most renowned patriots: Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the national hero; and Manuel L. Quezon, “Father of the Philippine National Language” and the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
Capping the Philippine cultural presentation is a fashion show of Filipino costumes, a re-enactment of the time-honored “Santacruzan/Flores de Mayo” and folk dances. The FASCI dancers will perform Sinulog, a fast-paced folk dance relating the story of the conversion of a province in the Southern Philippines to Catholicism and “Recuerdo.”
The traditional “Parade of Nations” will open WorldFest ceremonies, featuring local dignitaries and representatives from many cultures. Aside from the Filipino-American group, the following will be in the parade: Chinese American, American Indian, Indo-American, Irish American, Italian American, German American, Croatian American, Korean American, Lebanese American, Hispanic American groups.
WorldFest 2013 starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center, Exhibit Hall D, 201 SW Jefferson St, Peoria, IL. Parking and admission are free.