Thousands of locals will groove to Jamaican reggae, feel the rumble of Japanese Taiko drums and sample scrumptious dishes from around the globe this weekend, all without leaving Tacoma.
Since 1986, Ethnic Fest has celebrated the various cultures and ethnic groups that make up our community, and its 28th annual run will take over Wright Park from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27. The event is expected to draw 50,000 to 60,000 revelers over the weekend with a full slate of live music and dance on two big stages; puppet shows, games and comic book giveaways in the family friendly Kids Zone; and, of course, some of the tastiest ethnic cuisine from around the region.
“Ethnic Fest is the only festival that truly celebrates the diversity that makes this county and city so rich,” said Tacoma Deputy Mayor Victoria Woodards, who will emcee the festival’s main stage on Sunday.
Woodards produced Ethnic Fest for 12 years and initially became involved as a member of a team assembled by former Tacoma Mayor and Pierce County Councilman Harold Moss to save the event after it ran into budgeting shortfalls.
“I don't know that ethnic fest would still be celebrating without Victoria carrying the torch for so long,” the festival's current coordinator Lori Raisch says. “It was in danger of dying, and (Moss's) office took on a huge commitment to keep it going financially and by giving Victoria the freedom to chair the festival.”
“It was important to Harold, it was important to me that we maintained that opportunity for people to get together and learn and share,” Woodards recalls. “(They) get to learn things about different cultures and people get to share their cultures. It really engages the entire community.”
This year's festival will open with a special presentation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed that landmark piece of legislation into law on July 2, 1964 to end racial segregation in schools, unequal voter registration requirements and other forms of discrimination. Saturday's presentation has been put together by Tacoma's Human Rights Commission and will feature a spoken word performance by Tacoma poet laureate Lucas Smiraldo.
Among the most familiar faces on stage this weekend will be popular Seattle jazz guitarist Michael Powers (2 p.m. Saturday) and regional reggae star Alex Duncan (6 p.m. Sunday), both veterans of several Ethnic Fests. “It just wouldn't be Ethnic Fest without them on board,” Raisch says.
Among other highlights will be Columbian folk music (Diego Coy Musica Colombiana), dancers from Korea (Northwest Cultural Foundation) and a Sunday afternoon gospel showcase featuring DaNell Dayman, Warrior's Cry and more. Ethnic Fest also serves as the kickoff for the Click! Outdoor Mobile Movie series, with a screening of animated comedy “The Lego Movie” scheduled for dusk on July 26.
Saturday, July 26
Main stage (emcee Eddie Quintero): The Islanders (noon); Peruvian Passion (1 p.m.); Michael Powers (2 p.m.); Northwest Cultural Foundation (3 p.m.); Napualani Hula Halau (4 p.m.); Okinawa Taiko Drums (5 p.m.); Tama Teine Samoa (6 p.m.)
Community stage (emcee Tracie Davis): Diego Coy Musica Columbiana (12:15 p.m.); Shadaroba (1:15 p.m.); Esplendor Mexicano (2:15 p.m.); Apato’erau (3:15 p.m.); Banshie (4:15 p.m.); Buena Vibra Sextet (5:15 p.m.); Ranger and the Rearrangers (6:15 p.m.);
Sunday, July 27
Main stage (emcee Victoria Woodards): Coco Loco (noon); Indonesia Traditional Dance (1 p.m.); Spirit of Ojah (2 p.m.); Rhythms of India (3 p.m.); Salsa Rosa Orchestra (4 p.m.); VamoLa (5 p.m.); Alex Duncan (6 p.m.)
Community Stage (emcee Tracie Davis):Smiling Scandanavians (12:15 p.m.); Dale Russ & Mike Saunders (1:15 p.m.); Warrior’s Cry (2:25 p.m.); Rosalynn Jones & True Worship (3:15 p.m.); Jacqueine M. Echols (3:45 p.m.); Erica Walker (4:30 p.m.); DaNell Dayman (5:15 p.m.)
Clay Martin Puppets classic tales daily schedule (Kids Zone, both days): “Moby Dick” (1 p.m.); “The Frog Prince” (2 p.m.); “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (3 p.m.); “Moby Dick” (4 p.m.); “The Frog Prince” (5 p.m.)
Ethnic Fest 2014July 26 and 27
Wright Park, 501 S. I St., Tacoma
Admission is free and open to all ages
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org