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The Merchants of Hudson invite you to travel around the world. Get a passport from one of the more than 30 businesses who are representing their selected country with store decorations, music, flags, maps, interesting facts and quizzes about their country.
Opening Ceremony - Friday, April 13, 5 PM (Bandstand Green)
Parade of International Costumes, with flags and flagbearers from Evamere Elementary and "Peace in the Global Village" posters by Hudson students. Bagpiper Dan Stewart will be leading the parade, which will process in from the Church on the Green to the Bandstand at 5 PM. (Parade Participants should meet at the Church on the Green between 4:30-4:45. Children and adults are encouraged to come in traditional dress.) The Jazzcorp Band from Hudson High School will perform from 4:45-5:15. Mayor William Currin will present a Proclamation for Ubumi Orphanage, Hudson's adopted orphanage in Zambia, and will officially announce the opening of the Festival. Mr. Stewart will then lead the parade up Main Street, down Clinton and First Street, and finish up at the Library, where students from Montessori Middle School will offer a presentation.
Food and Spirits Night - Friday, April 13, 5-8 PM
The Opening parade will kick-off the evening, calling people to enjoy cuisine from around the world as they travel to 27 different countries hosted by participating merchants. Merchants will have passports which can be stamped along the way. Visit at least 15 countries and receive a prize. Travel to all the countries throughout the week and be eligible for a Super Prize made up of gifts from all participating merchants.
International Game Day - Saturday, April 14
Learn and play games enjoyed by children (and adults) around the world, hosted by participating merchants.
Faith & Fair Trade Festival: an experiential interfaith event - Sunday, April 15, 3 PM (at First Congregational Church of Hudson)
Prominent religious leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism will speak about prayer from their faith perspectives. During the presentation, children will be creating a peace tree as they learn about and make peace symbols from around the world. Then all will join together for a brief interfaith prayer service. A fair trade fair will offer products made by people from all around the world. Hosted by the Foundation for Fair Trade Ministry and the First Congregational Church of Hudson. (Read more at destinationhudson.com.)
Continent Days
Enjoy world-wide specials every day of the week.
Monday: Africa
Tuesday: Asia & Australia
Wednesday: Europe
Thursday: North America
Friday: South America
Closing event - Saturday, April 21, 11 AM to Noon (at East Woods School, 120 N. Hayden Parkway)
International Dance Troupes from China, India, Africa and Ireland. One Beat Drum Ensemble comprised of Hudson elementary students. Students from East Woods Elementary School will be participating in a Parade of Flags. A selection of Dr. Seuss's book, The Lorax, will be read in different languages, and City Council President David Basil will offer a word of encouragement to Hudson residents for their efforts in promoting cultural understanding and respect. Sister Barbara Einloth, Pastoral Associate at St. Mary's Catholic Church and representative from the Hudson Ministerial Association, will conclude the ceremony with a Prayer for World Peace.
More about the Festival:
For the second year in a row, the Merchants of Hudson are preparing for an explosion of cultural diversity from six of the world's seven continents. So far, 23 Hudson businesses have signed on to represent a different country from April 13 to 21 for the second annual International Festival, according to Janet Rhodes of Janet Rhodes brings you Fair Trade. The businesses will decorate their establishments with decorations, flags and maps, while providing interesting facts from the countries they are representing.
"The Merchants of Hudson established the International Festival last year as a way to support local businesses, at the same time offering an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of cultures around the world right here in our own community," Rhodes said. "Having each business host a particular country encourages people to visit that business and it connects the business owner and staff with a different culture."
Sometimes a store has a particular connection with a country, such as supporting mission work or buying products from that country, Rhodes said. "I've chosen Rwanda because I have products from Rwanda and we have three Rwandan young people living in Hudson now, so I wanted to highlight some of the gifts of their culture," Rhodes said. "I truly believe that learning about and experiencing other cultures and coming to understand their beliefs is essential to promoting peace throughout our world. Hudson is a perfect place to do that."
Last year more than 30 businesses participated. "I was completely blown away by last year's festival," Rhodes said. The Young Actors Studio on Owen Brown Street was "filled to the point that people were sitting on the floor for the closing ceremony," which included children performing traditional dances from Ireland, India, Africa and the U.S.
Rhodes is hoping it is even bigger this year. "We've been contacted by a Chinese dance troupe from Cleveland in addition to the many dancers we had last year," she said. "We're really trying to get classes connected with businesses to bring in artwork representing a particular country or other artifacts."
Along with the merchants, various schools and educational programs are involved.
For more information or to participate, call Rhodes at 330-653-9006, or email janet@janetrhodes.com.
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