Unity Day Festival is a Tremendous Success!
05 June 2007

This article was contributed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, New York. The article, as well as more information about the event and the clubs, can be accessed at their website: www.bgcsyracuse.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse in partnership with the Spanish Action League, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, the American Red Cross, and the Westcott Community center organized Unity Day to bring a variety of people together to discover different cultures and learn tolerance. As the finale to the Teaching Tolerance Series funded by the Allstate Foundation, the event involved more than 30 participants, 250 patrons from all over Central New York, and over 12 community organizations.

On Saturday April 21st, 2007, the first ever Unity Day Festival took place from 12pm-4pm at 201 Hamilton Street Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse. To encourage tolerance in Central New York, introduce citizens to different cultures and traditions, and to celebrate diversity; the Boys & Girls Clubs gathered together over 12 different communtiy organizations, 30 local artists, and 5 different dance and theatrical groups to create a festive environment in which learning for all ages could take place.

The festival provided free admission to the public. Guests were able to enjoy free ethnic food provided by ZJ's Pizza, Wegmans, P & C Foods, and King Davids. The SUNY Cortland Recreation Association and recreation students shared their knowledge of teamwork and diversity through free arts & crafts and multicultural games. The event featured a theatrical narrative of Afghanistan folktales based off the New York Times Best Seller, the Kite Runner. This colorful and culturally expressive performance was performed by the Onondaga Historical Association. Patrons were able to enjoy traditional Cuban and Puerto Rican Dance performed by La Joven Guardia Del Teatro la Danza Latina. Amongst reggae music provided by Way to Go Dancers, attendees could wander amongst multicultural art created by local artists, participate in interactive educational exhibits provided by local community organizations, and experience unique hands-on displays of exotic animal artifacts at Rosamond Gifford Zoo's zoo station.

"This family oriented cultural event with fun for all ages was a wonderful opportunity for Central New York residents to experience the culture and diversity of the world around us, and of our local communities. This event offered an excellent chance for people to find a common ground upon which they could unite to make Syracuse a more tolerant, peaceful community", commented Nichole Franko, Special Events & Marketing Coordinator VISTA at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse.

With special guest appearances by Colleen Haffet-Mastine from Senator DeFrancisco's office and Rosemary Painter from Assemblywoman Joan Christensen's office, the event truly portrayed the diversity of Syracuse and the importance of tolerance in every community.