The 7th Annual Festival of Nation in Weirton

The 7th annual Festival of Nation was held  at MILLSOP COMMUNITY ENTER on March 21st, 2015.  It was dfifferent this year.  I noticed that  the trees  outside the building are not even budding yet compared to last year.  (Just ignore the head on the photo, my husband was goofing off while I was taking the photo, lol).  

There  was  less number of participants this year as well comparedfrom the numbers of participants last year.  Even the Filipino community have downsized.  I am not sure what happened but this year was not as good from the previous ones.

 Nevertheless, I busied myself from  taking some photos.  Here's my friend's daughter, wearing of the costumes for their cultural dances.

 The St. Joseph Choir always participates and  sing songs.  The Music Director of the school is always  encouraging the kids to  share their talents to people.

 While waiting for the program to start, I got the chance to tke some photos of them while they were  asitting on the bleachers.

 One of the  things that I always find missing when  attending events here is the lack of  decorations in the stage.  When I  was still working in school, whatever events we hold (big or small), we always decorate the stage the details of the events like the theme, the guest speakers, and other  things.  Over here, there's nothing.  I guess, it doesn't mater but I am just used to those stuff  back home that I find it a bit odd.  Anyway, here's the City Mayor giving his opening  remarks to  offially open the  event.

 Sime snap shots I took during the  parade, the presentation of the participants.  There are not many this year.  I missed thecolorful  outfits of those participants from Ukraine last year.  I did not see them this year.

 

 Our son hasn't participate in the choir yet but I am thinking that next yearm he would be  in it as well as he  is starting to sing with the choir at church.  We will see.

 Most of the cultural dances we've seen this year reoresented Philippines.

 My favorite among their performances was the "Tinikling" dance, they were so good.  I wish I could have captured them in video.  I thought the performers represing India did a great job as well.

 I am glad that the kids are very interested in participating into this kind of events, it hones not only their   talents but their social skills as well.  This kind of exposures help their   self confidence.

I admire the dedication that the music director of the school is putting into this.  Practicing a bunch of kids is not easy but she doe it so well.  I hope that next year, there would be more participants to the said event.  It is always nice to see different cultures through the dances and food.  MY kids wer disappointed that  there was no  Funnerl cakebooth this year.  That's one of their favorite thing to get when attending this kind of  event.  Yep, there were so many things missing this year.