Thousands celebrate the annual Skokie Festival of Cultures at Oakton Park
The 28th annual Skokie Festival of Cultures drew in large scores of attendees to Oakton Park last weekend for two days of live Cultural entertainment, Multicultural cuisine and family fun. The Festival of Cultures took place on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Oakton Park, 4701 West Oakton Street Water Recreation Park at the corner of Skokie Blvd. and Oakton Avenue in Skokie. The festival also called "Tour of the World". The festival kickoff with one hour International Short Films on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 7 p.m.
This festival begins in 1991. Now this festival becomes one of the most popular ethnic festivals in the state of Illinois. According to the board members of organizing committee "We are celebrating diversity between all the communities. Festival of Cultures serves to unite the people of the village".
According to a village official "Actually more than 100 languages are spoken in Skokie. More than any town in Illinois".
Skokie is now turned to international village where everyone having Display and perform their own culture and traditional. But once a year they are displaying on the festival. The opening ceremonies held Saturday at 1 p.m. on the World Showcase stage. Several official address at the opening ceremony include Mayor George Van Dusen and State Representative Laura Fine.
The purpose of this festival is to promote a better understanding between Skokie residents of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Attendees enjoyed activities, games, costumes, dance, music and food. Several Thousand people visited the festival last weekend. There were activities for all ages and booths representing nationalities and cultures with all their paraphernalia. The festival book with all the information about the participating nationalities also presumed to be a passport to visit these countries. Visitors should take this book on the booth and recognize a few things mentioned in the book and get their book stamped. This year Indian community celebrates "Holi, Festival of Colors" on Saturday 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in occur designated boundaries.
Participating nationalities were also given time to have their folk and cultural dance and musical presentations. People enjoyed food from different ethnic backgrounds. Pakistan, India and other south Asian countries displayed several attractions. First outdoor Dance performance begins at 2 p.m. Jasmin Jahal Dance Company performed the traditional Middle Eastern Dance.
Visitors enjoyed two days of ethnic folk music and dance, a wide range of foods, unique arts and crafts, international children's games, a merchandise bazaar, and dozens of cultural booths and displays. More than 30 cultural booths and displays was there on festival. The Skokie Festival of Cultures is held the third weekend in May and is a free event every year and getting famous worldwide. Successes of this Festival all credit goes to Mayor George Van Dusen and its team.