Mundelein festival celebrates cultural diversity

Posted September 15, 2015 11:00 pm

Village of Mundelein submission

Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz introduces a previous One World Festival in front of West Oak and Fremont Middle School students. This year's festival will be from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in Kracklauer Park. Courtesy of the village of Mundelein

Over the past two years, the Mundelein One World Festival has grown in both size and scope. This year, event organizers feel confident that the unique festival will delight all who attend.

Plans are underway to make this year's event even better, including a new location. The Village of Mundelein Human Relations Commission, Mundelein Park and Recreation District, Fremont Library District and Mundelein Community Connection will once again partner to make this educational family event happen.

The One World Festival, will be from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Kracklauer Park, 126 N. Lake St., Mundelein. It is a celebration of cultures from around the world through music, dance, food, beverages, games, art and history.

There will be colorful opening and closing ceremonies, art projects, kids' games and a world showcase of various foods and drinks for purchase.

This year, the Kracklauer Park Gazebo will be home to a series of one-hour workshops offered for kids, with projects such as African mask-making and other crafts.

The objective of the One World Festival is to promote understanding and acceptance of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds in a family-centered environment. Participants are welcome and encouraged to wear their traditional cultural dress.

"Modeled after the Skokie Festival of Cultures, the One World Festival was conceived a few years ago as a collaborative project between the Mundelein Human Relations Commission, Mundelein Park and Recreation District, Fremont Library and Mundelein Community Connection.

"All entities wanted to host a community event that celebrates cultural diversity. We organized a festival that could be enjoyed by both kids and adults, while at the same time promoted understanding among residents of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds," said Colleen Malec, planner, village of Mundelein, and staff liaison of the Human Relations Commission.

"This is our third year to host the festival, and each year it just gets better and better. We have a great lineup of entertainment and the new location will help in terms of better exposure. Everyone who attends the festival has a great time, and we're very proud to host an event of this caliber," Malec said.

The Village of Mundelein is grateful to the following event sponsors for making the One World Festival possible: Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit (KSN) law firm, Medline, Northfield Block Company, Mundelein Community Bank, Northside Community Bank, Advocate Condell Medical Center and the Daily Herald.

Food vendors include Taste of Paris (French cuisine), El Barrio (Mexican cuisine), Bonique Corporation (Belgian waffles) and more.

Vendors include a local Indian handicraft and jewelry vendor, temporary henna tattoos, Temas Latinas Club at Mundelein High School, African handmade goods, Chinelos (traditional Mexican costumed dancers) and groups offering resources to underserved populations.

For more information on Mundelein's One World Festival, call (847) 949-3282.

Members of Pocket Circus from Argentina perform at a previous Mundelein One World Festival. The festival celebrates a diverse array of cultures through music, dance, food, vendors and more. Courtesy of the village of Mundelein

The Ho Etsu Taiko drummers perform at a previous Mundelein One World Festival. This year's performances will include African dance and drumming, a martial arts demonstration, Mexican dancing and Hawaiian dancing. Courtesy of the village of Mundelein

Dancers from Ballet Folklorico Girasol show off their traditional costumes at a previous Mundelein One World Festival. The traditional Mexican dance troupe will perform this year at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Courtesy of the village of Mundelein

Dancers from Ballet Folklorico Girasol perform at a previous Mundelein One World Festival. Courtesy of the village of Mundelein

Mundelein One World Festival

<b>Schedule of Special Main Stage Performances</b>• 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony at Fremont Middle School

• 11:30 a.m. The C.A.K.E. Village (African dance and drumming)

• 12:30 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Girasol (Mexican dance)

• 1:30 p.m. Sideswipe Xtreme Martial Arts (Asian acrobatics and martial arts)

• 2:30 p.m. The Barefoot Hawaiian (Polynesian/Hawaiian dance and drumming)

• Between Acts: Pint Size Polkas (German and Polish polka for kids)

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.