CRESTVIEW — The second annual International Festival and Hispanic Heritage Celebration will showcase North Okaloosa County’s rich cultural diversity, organizers said.
Blanca Galindo, an Okaloosa County School District English for Speakers of Other Languages interventionist, said the festival will include:
• Representation by more than 20 countries, including China, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Ireland, Korea and many Central and South American countries.
• Appearances by the Crestview Area Sister City Program and the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), which will host a booth about different countries in which its soldiers serve.
• Northwest Florida State College’s English as a Second Language program will share information about county diversity.
• Performances — featuring Mexican “Latin American Idol” star Amid Montelongo — will include dances and music from Ireland, the Middle East, Ukraine, Puerto Rico, Central and Latin America.
Regional scholars have taken interest, Galindo said.
“We’re going to have 35 students from University of West Florida coming to the event," she said. "They’re doing a research project on diversity,” said.
The festival is presented by the school district's English for Speakers of Other Languages program and sponsored by the Friends of the Arts and area schools’ multicultural clubs.
Cultural or national groups interested in signing up may contact Galindo — 683-7500, extension 111 or blanca.galindo@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us — by Friday.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: International Festival and Hispanic Heritage Celebration
WHEN: Oct. 17. Exhibits 5:30-6 p.m.; performances 6-7:30 p.m.
COST: Free
WHERE: Shoal River Middle School gymnasium, 3200 Redstone Ave. E.
Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: More than 20 countries, cultures expected at international celebration