4th Annual Diversity Festival To Be Held In Somerset County

Press release from the Somerset County Government:

09/28/2022 4:48 PM

SOMERVILLE, NJ – In recognition of Global Diversity Awareness Month in October, Somerset County will host its fourth annual Diversity Festival, in Somerville on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 12 to 4 p.m. This year the festival features more free fun, food, and multicultural entertainment for people of all ages.

Visitors will enjoy activities, dancers, a DJ, food trucks, info-games, music, prize drawings and community groups that will provide valuable information and access to resources for individuals and communities.

Opening Ceremony
During the opening ceremony, attendees will pledge allegiance to the flag with Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson, and vocalist Jake Whiteknight will deliver an outstanding rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. In addition, an American Sign Language (ASL) expert will interpret the ceremony.

Diverse Food
Visit a variety of food trucks to taste delicious treats with an exotic flair, such as Mexican-American, Polish and Soul food. An affordable “passport menu” will be available to fairgoers at selected Somerville restaurants.

Free Games and Giveaways for All Ages
Children and adults will enjoy free diversity-themed puzzles, games and giveaways, a henna artist, interactive art projects and selfie stations.

Enter prize drawings to win an Iron Peak gift bag, tickets to the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, a one-month membership to the Jewish Community Center and passes to classes at Club Pilates.

Prizes were donated by local organizations through collaborative efforts between the Somerset County Business Partnership and the Diversity Event Committee.

Info-game: “The History of the Piñata”
In this 30-minute info-game for people of all ages, visitors will enjoy listening to the “History of the Piñata.” After the discussion, visitors can participate in a Q&A for a chance to win a gift basket, and then everyone is welcome to play Piñata.

Informational Diversity Displays
Visit an array of exhibitors to obtain resources from advocacy groups, community organizations, county departments and agencies that support diversity, equity and inclusion.

Kid Zone
Children will enjoy the Kid Zone for free interactive fun at Veterans Memorial Plaza, next to the Administration Building on Grove St. Kids can color, play games, get their faces painted by a professional face-painting artist, watch jugglers and bounce in a Bouncy House.

Multicultural Entertainment
Enjoy multicultural entertainment on two stages at different locations featuring bands, solo artists and dancers. Musical genres include all-female acapella, English, Indian fusion, jazz, salsa and Zydeco. Dancers will perform Indian and Chinese folk dancing.

Free Parking
Parking is free in Somerville at the Bernie Field Parking Deck, located on High Street or the parking deck at 27 Warren St.

For up-to-date information about the Diversity Festival, visit the website at 2022 SCDiversityFestival.

For more information about participating as a community group, contact Diversity Committee Director Kim Cowart at cowart@co.somerset.nj.us.

Somerset County Diversity Festival
Sponsored by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners and co-sponsored by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, the Diversity Festival is one of several Somerset County diversity initiatives launched in 2019 to help educate, embrace, encourage, and support diversity among the county’s multi-cultural residents and to continue fostering vibrant connections within the county’s communities.

This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.