Storm cuts short Elgin's iFest

Hundreds of people from different cultures gathered Saturday at Elgin's third annual iFest, bringing an international flavor to the Riverside Drive Promenade.

But a thunderstorm in the early afternoon cut the event short, and organizers announced on Facebook that the rest of the International Festival would be canceled.

Despite its brevity, the event featured food, products, music and entertainment from Africa, North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Before a severe thunderstorm rained out the event, parents had the chance to introduce their children to different cultures.

"This is a good event for everybody," said Mexico native Grace Godinez of Elgin, who brought her four children. "Whatever your language, it has art, music, dancing and fun."

Lande Sanusi, who hails from Nigeria and now lives in Wauconda, had one of the tents that promoted her business in East Dundee called The CAKE Village, which offers kids and adults the opportunity to experience African culture and performing arts.

Sanusi, who was selling doll clothing in African designs, took a break to learn how to hula with Naomi Hanks of Westmont, one of the dancers in the Hula O Puanani dance troupe that performed for the fest crowd.

Elgin residents Don and Eileen Leschke loved the co-mingled cultural event.

"We're just fascinated by knowing all of the different things from the different cultures. It's just beautiful," said Eileen Leschke.