Cultural Event #4: Chico International Fair

Watching people of all ages, races, and nationality dance together was the true essence that encompassed the International Fair in downtown Chico on Saturday, April 26^th.  The Downtown Plaza was filled with dozens of booths, all offering delicious-smelling foods and symbolic clothing and goods of various cultures from around the world.  There was a wide representation of nations that span the globe – from Mexico to India to Sri Lanka.  It was both surprising and refreshing to see so many different nationalities being represented in a seemingly non-diverse community like Chico. 

The highlight of the festival was the live music performed on the outdoor stage.  A band (I didn’t catch the name) played a great set of Middle Eastern-style songs, giving covers like the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” an exotic, Arabian feel.  One of their best songs was called “Sweet Girl,” which is a love song that was sung half in English, half in Armenian.  The band was really talented, but the most entertaining aspect was the diverse group of people dancing to the music.  Both aging hippies and excited toddlers came together in front of the stage, dancing to the beat. To keep the kids entertained, individuals dressed in a Tigger and Barney costumes interacted with the crowd.  It was not exactly culturally significant, but a lot of children seemed star-struck to meet the characters.

Overall, the International Fair had a great turn out. As indicated by its move from the CSU Chico campus to the Downtown Plaza, the Fair is growing in popularity.  I’m confident that the International Fair will continue to grow in future years to come as the Chico population becomes more diverse.