The 5th Annual Multi-Cultural Fair
Story & photos by SPC Charles Ames
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The members of the Washington National Guard and their families teamed up once again in a salute to our multi-cultural heritage in the 5th Annual Multi-Cultural Fair, held last October at Camp Murray in Tacoma. This event showcases the broad range of ethnic backgrounds represented by the military of our country as well as the by our own National Guard. Each year we take a break to enjoy one anothers music, food and crafts in a day-long celebration of the things that make this country a great place to live.
Last year, the Multi-Cultural Fair was easily contained on the drill floor of Building 33, on Camp Murray, in Tacoma, near Fort Lewis. This year, however, most of the public space of Building 34 (a larger, and more modern facility) was dedicated to a more appropriate stage, three times as many dancers, and many outdoor location for open-air cooking.
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While much of the space, inside and out, was reserved for arrays of exotic cuisine, a large portion was occupied by booths dedicated to crafts seldom seen outside the respective native country.
The weather was kind to the cooks, and the smell of barbeque was tangible all across Camp Murray. The Guardsmen and their families served it up for all comers throughout the day.
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Among the most popular performances of the day were the dancers: Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Latinos and African-American dancers guided audiences around the world in a celebration of ethnic diversity. Musical accompaniment was equally as diverse, and even included a group of Scottish bagpipers.
Outside, Guardsmen alternated between turning sizzling meat and strumming guitars. When’s the last time you heard someone playing an authentic mandolin play? Not to mention being able to catch your favorite tune on the "pipes" in the same day!
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Next year's Multi-Cultural Fair is also scheduled for early October. We will post an announcement of the exact date and other details nearer the event.
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