Tonight, Feb. 26, Cascade Ridge Elementary will hold its second annual Festival of Cultures event.

From 6 – 8 p.m., the festival will showcase many of the countries represented in our community, from China, India, France and Thailand, to Russia, Israel and Iran.

The evening brings together hundreds of Cascade Ridge families, their friends and relatives, as well as area residents interested in learning more about the world. Each booth is operated by families from the country represented, or those with a love of that culture.

Each child receives a full-color passport with facts, pictures and the flag of each country present, encouraging them to go to each booth to learn something new, and get a stamp to record their visit.

The school’s PTSA is proud to once again offer some of spectacular performances that thrilled audiences last year, including Irish, Indian and Middle Eastern dance troupes, as well as a martial arts demonstration.

New this year is a plan by organizers to reach out to a member of our global community in need of our help – Haiti. There will have a USA booth where volunteers will be taking donations for Haiti on behalf of the Red Cross.

Organizers have planned a marketplace feel for the event, making it a lively, busy, noisy and exciting microcosm of our community at large.

It is a true feast for the senses with many exhibitors decked out in full folkloric gear and displays filled with handicrafts, manipulatives and crafts for the kids, as well as music, food and games. Taste some Korean bulgoki, try on an Indian Sari or try your hand at Persian Backgammon while standing on a true Persian carpet!

With so many people from different countries now residing in our area, it is a true celebration of the many gifts each culture brings to enrich our community. It is tremendous that our local schools, despite the budget cuts they are dealing with, are still able to help students gain a broader perspective of the world and other people.