Inaugural Westfield Multicultural Festival Saturday

WESTFIELD, NJ – A celebration of Westfield’s unique and diverse community is set for Saturday Mindowaskin Park.

“I’m thrilled to have Westfield host this event to highlight the many vibrant cultures in and
around our town,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. “We’ve seen such an enthusiastic
response from members of the community to showcase their heritages and participate in this
first-time event. I hope everyone will join us for what I expect will be a fantastic afternoon
celebrating diversity.”

The Town of Westfield, with sponsorship support from the Union County Board of Freeholders and Coldwell Banker, will host its first-ever Westfield Multicultural Festival on Sept. 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This celebration will feature music and dance performances, food, cultural displays, and expo booths.

The festivities will kick off with a parade of nations from the Mindowaskin Playground to the
gazebo. Music and dance performances will follow shortly afterwards, and will include:

• bagpipers;
• Indian dances by middle and high school students;
• two traditional English Baroque songs performed by Valencia School of Music;
• Bengali dance performances;
• a modified Israeli belly dance by Sharon Fit Belly Dance & Group Fitness Studio;
• Irish dancing from Shea Jennings School of Irish Dance;
• a Bollywood flash mob;
• the West Coast Swing, Dominican Bachata and German Polka by The Westfield Ballroom;
• a steel drum band;
• an American Barbershop Quartet sponsored by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs;
• the Chinese Lion Dance and folk music organized by the Westfield Area Chinese American Association

There will be also be booths from various countries displaying information, crafts, art work,
clothing, and other activities including a carrom board, henna and origami. In addition, several
local restaurants will be on hand to represent international cuisines, including Westfield Station
Café, Vine Ripe Markets, 1958 Cuban Cuisine, and Outta Hand Pizza.

“The Board of Chosen Freeholders are pleased to provide support for the Westfield Multicultural
Festival,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “I am glad that the Town of Westfield is
celebrating the melting pot of different cultures within the community. Our diversity is what
makes the County of Union a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.”

This event is free to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the
performances. In the event of rain, the festivities will be moved to Sept. 21.

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