Mundelein launching One World Festival in September

Mundelein community leaders are planning a new festival to celebrate the town’s cultural diversity.

Dubbed the One World Festival, it’s set for Sept. 21 at the Metra train station on Archer Avenue, east of Seymour Avenue. It will run from noon to 5 p.m., and admission will be free.

Organizers hope to offer ethnic foods and beverages, international musical performances, dancing, crafts and educational exhibits. Details haven’t been finalized.

The Mundelein Parks and Recreation District is among the event’s sponsors.

“We believe learning more about your neighbor’s culture will help you understand them better and may lead to more friendships,” park district Director Margaret Resnick told the Daily Herald in an email.

Also sponsoring the event are the village’s festival committee, the Mundelein Community Connection group and the Fremont Public Library. Additional sponsors are being sought.

Park district officials approached village leaders about using the Metra station for public events because there is no weekend train service there, Resnick said.

That led to talk of a family-friendly cultural event, she said.

Skokie holds a similar — but much larger — event annually, Resnick said. The “Festival of Cultures” represents dozens of nations and attracts more than 20,000 people, she said.

Differences should be celebrated, Resnick said.

“We want to be seen as a community that includes everyone, regardless of their nationality,” she said. “The more we know about each other, the more accepting we are.”

A vendor application and more information about the One World Festival can be found online at mundelein.org/pdfs/2012/One_World_Festival.pdf.

Vendor applications are due July 1.