African, Basque, German, Hawaiian,
Irish, Japanese, Mexican, Native American, pioneer, and Scottish.
At each village, attendees can sample and purchase traditional foods, study and purchase arts and crafts native to that culture, and talk with village members dressed in traditional attire; each village also produces cultural demonstrations and free youth activities. And all the villages offer copious information about their culture, making this a wonderful all-ages educational opportunity. Many of these cultures continue to thrive in the region today and most left indelible proverbial footprints through the history of the Pacific Northwest. The America’s Global Village Festival provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history and customs of diverse peoples, and how they have both maintained their unique identities and contributed to the enrichment of our society as a whole.
America’S Global Village Festival Photo Gallery
The festival begins with a parade through Lions Park, in which all the different cultures represented dress in authentic attire, and then throughout the day a main stage features ongoing performances that, over the years, have included Hawaiian, Mexican, Basque, German, and Native American dancers. A tradition of the festival, the Scottish Highland Games are held at the festival and are ushered in by a performance by the Boise Highlanders Scottish Bagpipers, which draws throngs of onlookers. The traditional Scottish Heavy Athletics events are central to the games and include iconic and historical contests such as the caber toss, stone throw, and sheaf toss. The games start midmorning on Saturday, then the festival itself opens at 11 am. Free admission to the event includes a passport to carry to each village for a stamp—kids with full passports earn prizes. This congenial and educational festival, launched in 1990, earned an Ovation Award from the Oregon Festivals and Events Association in 2013.
Mexican theater at the America’s Global Village Festival in Ontario.
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