A new celebration is hoping to highlight cultural connections in Naperville next month.
Expanding cultural celebrations
The Naperville International Festival will take place Sept. 12 at Central Park, located at 104 E. Benton Ave.
The Sister Cities Foundation, which is hosting the event, said it’s an expansion of the city’s Hispanic Heritage Festival, which for five years recognized Naperville’s sister cities of Cancún and Pátzcuaro and helped kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.
Where previous festivities celebrated more specific cultural identities, Sister Cities Chairwoman Patty Gustin said this year’s festival will open the floor for people of all backgrounds to share their heritage.
“We just felt like we wanted it to be more inclusive, more expansive, so all the cultures that wanted to participate could do so. Share their food, their culture, their merchandising, and that was kinda where we grew from,” Gustin said.
Opportunities to learn
Musical guests and vendors will be featured at the festival, representing cultures from around the world and giving attendees a global experience right in their backyards.
Gustin said the event is more than a celebration; it’s also an educational opportunity, allowing visitors to challenge what they think they know about the world around them.
“This is not about politics, this is about learning about other people. When you learn through music, through song, through food and through items, there’s no opportunity for any kind of negativity, because it’s just the culture. It’s just the people of the culture,” Gustin said.
Honoring community service
The Sister Cities Foundation also wanted to recognize Naperville’s third sister city, Nitra, Slovakia, at this year’s festival.
The group will do so in part by honoring CEO of Loaves and Fishes Community Services Mike Havala. Havala has family ties to Nitra himself, and Gustin said he is a great representation of what it means to “love thy neighbor.”
“He’s been so instrumental in the care of our community, making sure people are fed and making sure they get to the right connection when they need help,” Gustin said.
Gustin hopes Havala’s work can serve as inspiration for his fellow community members.
A full day of festivities
The festival will run from noon to 9 p.m. on Sept. 12. A full lineup of performers is available on the Sister Cities Foundation website.
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