The Northwestern International Club, or I-Club, is putting on their annual Ethnic Fair early this year. The event is normally held near March, but was moved to this year’s date of Jan. 30 to avoid a schedule conflict with RUSH.
The Ethnic Fair is an event that I-Club puts on for the campus and the community. It is set up by the club, which includes nine core group members, as well as over 150 other members from nearly 25 countries around the globe. The event hosts an array of different cuisines, clothing styles, a fashion show, and a variety of verbal performances and dances from around the world.
“It is our biggest event of the year,” said Trevor Delamater, I-Club member. “Everyone works a lot on this event. It is the best opportunity people here have to share their culture, and learn about other cultures.”
“There are a variety of dishes, and the food is very good,” said I-Club vice president Kory McMahan. “It shows the culture of people and the countries represented by the students here.”
I-club President Diviya Nyanaguru echoes McMahan’s statement, emphasizing that the event has a lot of different tastes and sights.
“It’s unique, I don’t think there is anything like it in Orange City,” Nyanaguru said.
The change in the date this year has led to a positive inclusion of the Japanese students on campus who are taking part in the Winter English Camp program. This is the first year the students are on campus at the same time as the fair, which allows them to have a role in the exhibition.
“We’re very happy to have them here to help,” Nyanaguru said. “They’re going to be helping by cooking, cleaning, and they’re going to performing something cool and unique.”
The official theme for this year’s fair is We Are the World and students will be represented from every continent. Many of the club members will tell you that another theme throughout the event’s history is a positive atmosphere.
“It’s an atmosphere of celebration, Delamater said. “You can see that everyone is so happy to be sharing their cultures.”
Jessica Howe is another member who is charge of decorating for the fair, and agrees that the uniqueness of the fair is something special.
“I love the atmosphere that Ethnic Fair brings. It’s so beautiful to see everyone’s food, clothing, and the lights. It’s a great experience,” Howe said.
The cost of the fair for students is an ID swipe along with $1.00 payment at the door. For community members, the event will cost $12.00 for adults, and $6.00 for children under the age of eight.
