Casillas

The annual Bloomington Multicultural Festival will be Sunday, September 19, from noon to 5 p.m. on the Courthouse Square.

Beginning with a parade led by the Southern Indiana Pipe Band, the Courthouse Square will come alive with the cultural expressions of Monroe County residents.

Set against the backdrop of the annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, the Bloomington Multicultural Festival will celebrate the community's diversity through entertainment, food and activities.

"The Bloomington Multicultural Festival is our community's opportunity to shine a light on the cultural mosaic that makes Bloomington and Monroe County so unique, "said Lillian Casillas, co-chair of the festival planning committee and director of La Casa Latino Cultural Center at IU. "With the participation of so many different and exciting cultural organizations and performers, we're confident that the festival will fulfill its mission to promote appreciation and respect for the value and strength of a diverse community."

Included in the festivities will be international and ethnic foods, prepared by Bloomingfoods, and a variety of children's activities.

"We're really excited about this year's festival," said Marsha Bradford, also a festival planning committee co-chair and director of the Bloomington Mayor's Safe and Civil City Program. "Nearly 1,000 folks attended the first multicultural festival. With this year's expansion to more than 40 culture booths and 15 local entertainment acts, we're expecting an even bigger and more enthusiastic turn-out."

Sponsors include the City of Bloomington, IU, the Monroe County Community School Corporation, Ivy Tech State College-Bloomington and Monroe County Government.

For information about booth applications or the festival, E-mail Lee Bowlen at bowlenle@bloomington.in.gov or go to this Web site:

http://www.bloomington.in.gov/safe/bmf