THURSDAY, JULY 16, 6:30 – 8:30 PM AT THE SHELTER IN
SILVER LAKE PARK NEXT TO THE FIRE STATION (7TH ST. NE)
(WE HAVE A ROOF – SO COME RAIN OR SHINE!)

MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF FROM AROUND THE WORLD. PLEASE BRING: YOUR CHEERFUL SELF, YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND IF YOU CAN, PLEASE BRING SOME FOOD FROM YOUR COUNTRY FOR THE BUFFET TO SHARE. IT’S ALWAYS FUN TO TRY DIFFERENT FOODS! WE’LL PROVIDE SOME PICNIC FOOD, BEVERAGES. THERE IS ALSO A PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS ADJACENT. DRESS IS VERY CASUAL.

If YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN CALL HERTA AT 280-8319 (NOT AFTER 9PM PLEASE).

If you wish to participate, please contact Sushital Chowdhury via email or phone (507) 281-3870.

Download and view the PDF for the exact location of the RIA float and meetup information.

Add this event to your calendar.

The purpose of the celebration is to acknowledge, celebrate, and provide education about the Hispanic culture and heritage of Mayo’s patients, visitors, and employees as well as that of the citizens of Rochester, MN.

The goal of the event is to contribute to a positive, supportive environment that respects and values the cultural diversity of patients, visitors, Mayo employees, and the citizens of Rochester. Furthermore, it will contribute to the City of Rochester’s goal of being an inclusive community.

The celebration will include culturally relevant information, entertainment, food vendors, exhibitors. from 11:00 – 1:00.

Also, if you attended the World Festival and you are on Facebook, please post your favorite pictures and video on our RIA Facebook Group page. We’d love to see them.

On Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, 2009 the Rochester International Association presents its 34th World Festival at Mayo High School in Rochester, Minnesota.

The Festival opens Friday evening at 7 PM with a colorful show of performances including dancing, singing, and music by performers in their native costumes from around the world. Admission is $ 8 for adults, $4 for students and children, $20 for families.

On Saturday, from 10 am to 3 pm, the Festival features a full day of activities including the Parade of Nations, dozens of cultural displays from around the world representing the rich diversity of our city and region, an International Buffet of ethnic foods in the cafeteria, continuous music and dance performances, a new Market Place, and wide variety of children’s activities. Admission is free.

The World Festival began as a bicentennial event in 1976 and is now in its 34rd year of celebrating the cultural diversity of the Rochester area. It has become the largest multi-cultural event in Minnesota south of the Twin Cities, attracting thousands of visitors and hundreds of participants.

To participate or volunteer or for questions, please call Herta at 280-8319 or e-mail at hmatteson@hotmail.com

Download the World Festival 2009 registration form to tell us how you’d like to participate. Please print it out and send it in before March 30, 2009, so that we can properly accommodate all participants. If you plan on selling food, download the Food Vendor registration form. Our mailing address is: 2500 ValleyHigh Drive NW, Rochester, MN, 55901.

Please see our RIA United Way page for a listing of all our volunteer needs and positions to fill.

We’ve got a quick announcement to make. I’m sure you’ve heard about Facebook already, and so have we. It’s been in the works for a while now and we are proud to finally announce that RIA has a presence on Facebook. Please visit our official RIA group page on Facebook. We also have a RIA Causes page on Facebook, where you can donate to our cause via credit card.

Latino Fest, Saturday, September 27, from noon to 4PM – East Side Shelter near Broadway at East Soldiers Field. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the West Silver Lake Shelter (next to the fire department). More info.

2009 Rochester World Festival Meeting, Wednesday, October 1, 7PM – World Festival meetings for participants and leaders take place on the first Wednesday evening of each month at 7pm, 3rd floor meeting room at Charter House. All RIA Board members and interested participants are invited to attend this first meeting.

Mayor’s International Reception at City Hall, Thursday, October 16, 7PM – Invite any international persons that you know. If you know of a large group coming, please let Herta know at 280-8319.

International Speakers Luncheons at the YMCA, 11:45AM to 1PM – Here’s the upcoming lineup of speakers. * October 8: Nadia Gajic focusing on her book on Bosnia. * November 12: Herta Matteson with Impressions of Papua New Guinea * December 10: Jackie Johnson talks about Kwanzaa. Starting in October, the cost will be $9 for RIA/YMCA members and $10 for non-members.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Congregational Church, November 27.

Salsa dancing lessons, put on by the Rochester Salsa Community, take place throughout the year. (www.rochestermnsalsa.com)

The public is welcome to attend. We will be asking for nominations for officers and board members interested in serving. Voting will be carried out to elect officers to serve the board for the upcoming year.

The board is responsible for coordinating the annual Rochester World Festival as well as other community events. Read more about us .