August 1- another summer festival

Another good benefit to doing this photoblog is that it gets me out doing stuff, so that I can gather, what I call "blog fodder". ;-)

I decided to check out a fairly new city festival that the city has been trying to get off the ground the last couple of years, "The International Festival". Now all summer long, there are very well established ethinic festivals like the Latino Fest, Indian Fest , German Fest, Greek Fest, etc. This festival is supposed to celebrate all nationalities. It's still pretty small, though, and it's location, although logistically good (plenty of parking, etc), it is a little ways outside of downtown so it's been slow to grow.

It is home to the Mayor's Cup Soccer/Football Tournament, however, which is a fantastic idea. People from many countries were competing.
This picture and the next are a panorama of food booths, info booths, and people selling stuff.

Mmm... grilled corn with butter, sea salt and Old Bay.

Watching one of the matches.

The Jamaicans seemed the most laid back. They were crankin dance hall music and chillin' while they waited to play.
(annotated)

The Mali-ans warming up before their match.

After the rain stopped, festivities continued. Here, these Philippinas are getting ready to perform. (I left before they went on, though).

Korean ceremonial dress. It was used in a dance performance that happened as the rain fell. They didn't get much of an audience, I'm afraid.

Who knew??!! (Bawlamore had so many sister cities)

Weird pinwheel in front of the China sister city booth.

Arty shot of circa 60's-70's Western High School, where the festival took place.

A bit anti-climactic really, what with the rain, and the smallish turnout, especially after something like Artscape. Oh well, festivals only grow and improve if people actually attend. It has potential, at any rate...