Sunday, August 22, 2010

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

A feast for the eyes and tummy awaited today at the 31st Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival held in Swope Park. The Festival began Friday and ran through 6pm today. Sixty cultures were represented through food, music, dance and crafts... Totally friendly groups who didn't hate a guy with a camera.
Above, fashion show.... below Indian dancer.

The entrance with a flag for every represented nation.


The bison burger was tempting but I ended up eating at the Ecuadorian booth.


Hyper had the fritada and lemonaide. Below, my line.







Above, former Mayor Richard Berkley was there.





Apparently, there really is a RoadRunner .... he was popular with the smaller humans.

Above, I don't know.
Above, siesta, below, beauty queen.

The costumes worn for the fashion show were beautiful.... I found the best place for photos is behind the pavilion just before the fashion show... all are lined up and gracious in posing.







Just so I don't hear from Meesha.... FOOD. The Ecuadorians had never heard of a Philly Cheese-steak.













Above, my neighbor Olga who was in charge of the Ecuador booth... and who made my FOOD below.




Above... the paparazzi.... below the "subject".... Croatian garb.....

You can get your hair painted green, or, in the case of fellow blogger XO painted on.


Above, the kids tent with stuff to do including making hats from grocery sacks.




Above... this poor young man was dying... despite the umbrella and fan. It was warm but in the shade plenty cool enough.

Above, siesta number 2..... below... before the Indian dance began one of the performers spotted friends in the audience... she was awesome.....






Above..... this old tree has been there for all 31 festivals.... and maybe even before the land became Swope Park.....

All in all... a great afternoon. I try to go each year.... Parks and Rec and their sponsors do an awesome job.