Published September 13, 2024
Pictured above are area kids with some of the DC3 student-athletes who assisted with the fifth annual International Festival, on Sunday, Sept. 8. [Photo by Holly Mercer]
Dodge City Community College (DC3) students took the fifth-annual International Festival by storm this year on Sunday, Sept. 8, at Wright Park. Whether they were there to perform or volunteer, there was no shortage of purple and gold.
Approximately 90 student-athletes from the Track, Cross Country, Golf, and Men’s Soccer teams were present at Sunday’s festivities, as well as several students from the college’s vocal music program. Adding to the international aspect of the festival, many of the DC3 students themselves were from other countries.
Hugo Hernandez, Director of Main Street Dodge City, said, “I love the event. It’s a great way to witness the beautiful culture that makes up Dodge City. Having DC3 students come out to help made the event so much smoother, and we can’t thank them enough for volunteering their time.”
Entertaining the crowd for a second year in a row, Ariannah Borchard, a freshman vocalist from Minneola, Kan., said, “My role in the festival was to represent the college and myself by showcasing the beauty of how different music that separates cultures can combine, so that it can be enjoyed by a wider audience.”
She said she also really enjoyed watching all the different people representing their countries’ traditions with clothing and performances, so she could celebrate the beauty and diversity of their cultures with them.
“It makes me happy seeing all of the different people come together to create this celebration of diversity of the world,” she said.
Holly Mercer, Director of the DC3 Library and Cultural Relations Advisory Board member, has been a part of the festival’s planning since its origins in 2019. She said the festival has evolved each year since its inception.
“DC3 has participated in many ways throughout the years. In previous years, we included a DC3 Art Show, which unfortunately couldn’t be held this year due to windy conditions,” she said. “Last year, DC3 music students participated in the entertainment for the first time, and students again joined this year.”
Included in the festival was a special food court called the “Crossroads Kitchen,” which offered participants an opportunity to sample unique dishes from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexico, Somalia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.
In addition to music and food, this year’s festival also featured a classic car show, dance entertainment, and a fashion show called “World Threads,” which highlighted clothing and textiles from Columbia, Guatemala, Somalia, and Mexico.
Mercer said, “My favorite part is seeing people greet old friends, make new friends, and just having a great time during the festival. The festival connects individuals from different backgrounds and cultures and gives us an opportunity to have fun together.”
By Alba Gutierrez-OrtizDC3 Marketing and Media Specialist
Photos by Alba Gutierrez-Ortiz