Explore world cultures at International Festival and support international study

Come indoors where it’s warm and have fun exploring various world cultures at North Central College’s family-friendly International Festival Feb. 8.

Hosted by the College’s Office of International Programs, the 2015 International Festival celebrates Naperville’s cultural diversity and offers opportunities for all community members to explore cultures from around the world from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, in North Central’s Gregory Arena at Merner Field House, 450 S. Brainard St.

Educational exhibits, language immersion rooms, multicultural performances, concessions selling international cuisine and more are part of this lively celebration.

Tickets are $6 at the door or $5 in advance by visiting the College’s Office of International Programs, 48 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $1/ticket or $5/six tickets. All proceeds will benefit the International Scholarship fund to support international students coming to North Central College and North Central students who study abroad.

Doors open at 11:45 a.m. for the opening international flag ceremony with North Central College President Troy D. Hammond, Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville). The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago will serve as honor guards.

On a center stage, patrons can enjoy 14 performance and dance groups representing Ireland, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Philippines. Various martial arts and local gymnastics troops also will perform. Click here to view the performance schedule.

Children attending the festival will be given passports, gaining them entrance to each interactive booth and an opportunity to win a prize. To promote experiential learning, the booths provide a multicultural experience by organizations that promote foreign language, environmental mindfulness, and Asian, European and Hispanic cultures. Several North Central College groups will have exhibits, too.

Thirty-minute immersion room sessions will be conducted in Chinese, German, Japanese, Greek, Russian and Spanish cultures and languages. Teachers, native speakers and students will lead each experience. Advance registration is encouraged; call 630-637-5132.
 
Food from an international menu will be prepared by Chef by Request and available for purchase. Canned food items also will be collected and given to Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry. Some 15 boxes of food were collected last year. For more information contact Rebecca Pugh at rjpugh@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5132.

The 19th annual International Festival is cosponsored by the U.S. Bank, Positively Naperville and Chef by Request.