This past Friday, Reading Area Community College held its annual International Festival at the Schmidt Training and Technology Center. The festival is sponsored by the colleges’ International club and has been an honored event for almost a decade. The event was open to all students and faculty. Community members were also invited.
Melisa Kabilizya, President of the International club headed of the Food Committee. She and other members recruited over ten local restaurants and caterers to supply a variety of ethnic foods for this event. Partakers of the festival were charged a small fee and given a plate, drink, and utensils. The food was arranged buffet style. Patrons were able to choose which foods they wanted and were allowed to fill their plates with as much food as they could hold.
Once people had their food, they sat in the dining hall which was beautifully ornamented with national flags and cultural regalia. The ambiance was arranged by Mandy Schneider, vice president of the International club, and the decorating committee.
Earth Rhythms of West Reading opened the show with a large drum circle. Students and faculty alike participated and enjoyed the instruments and instruction provided by Mark Seaman of Earth Rhythms. RACC students went on to perform an array of entertainment representing Italy, Viet Nam, Tanzania, Canada, Egypt, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Jamaica, Germany, Kenya, India, and Zambia. Song and dance filled the air as folks enjoyed their food. Jesselle Rodriguez, head of the entertainment committee, hosted the event.
The festival was a huge success with a few hundred people turning out for this day of cultural celebration. The International Club at RACC has upcoming events throughout the year. On October 22nd they will be hosting a Hispanic festival and on November 19th a European festival. In the spring they will also have an African, Asian, and Caribbean festival.
For more information call Jill Melones at # 610-372-4721 ext. 5259
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