Weirton gets a taste of the world with Festival of Nations
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WEIRTON -- It was a trip around the world at the Millsop Community Center in Weirton, Saturday, as the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center presented the 11th-annual Festival of Nations.
As part of this year's festival, area residents had an opportunity to sample food, music, dancing and more from almost 20 nationalities and cultures.
Calling the festival "unity and diversity at its best," committee Chair Kalpana Gupta welcomed the area residents gathered in the center's gymnasium, pointing out the various international flags hanging from the walls, along with the different foods, costumes and sounds featured throughout the day.
"It's so nice to see so many colors and so many flags," Gupta said.
The festival was started by the musuem as a tribute to a similar celebration founded by E.T. Weir in the 1930s and 1940s, reflecting the international heritage of the families working at Weirton Steel.
The modern festival provides a look at many of the traditions passed down through the generations of Weirton residents.
Performances Saturday were provided by groups representing India, Greece, Philippines, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Israel, Russia, China, the Middle East, Japan and the United States.
Food included samples from the United States, African American culture, China, Greece, India, Italy, Mexico and Philippines, while display tables providing information on a number of nationalities also were on hand.
Gupta offered thanks to Dr. J.K. Luthra, who served as committee chair for the festival's first 10 years, as well as the members of the festival committee.
"This festival is not made by one person," she said. "It's made by an entire community."
Mayor Harold Miller also took a moment to welcome those in attendance.
"It's a lot of friends," Miller said. "I hope you have a good time."
To add to the international theme, Miller drew the nationality to be featured on this year's Renaissance Weirton Christmas ornament, selecting Greece to be the third in the ongoing series.
This year's major sponsor was Weirton Medical Center.
The Platinum sponsor was Petrola Family Real Estate LLC. Silver sponsors were Everett and Hurite Opthalmic Association, First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Drs. Juginder and Dolly Luthra, the Medical Staff of Weirton Medical Center, Professional Tire and Alignment, Rotary Club of Weirton Heights, Drs. Sanjay and Kalpana Gupta, and Dr. Tac Lee, Lee Eye Center. Gold sponsors included All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Assure America, Cafe Delhi, Catherine Kochman, Dr. Cherian and Mariamma John, Dr. Edward J. Jagela, Dr. Gurdev and Mrs. Surinderjit Purewal, Gus and Agnes Monezi of Gus's Goodies, Dr. Janis E. Reed and Lytle and Associates. Bronze sponsors were Garibaldi Lodge Follansbee, Goldie Baly, Dr. Jasbir Makar, Jeffrey Schuetz of Schuetz Funeral Home, and RE Saxon Jeweler.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)