Many Cultures, One Community; Sharing Our Heritage

11th Annual International Friendship Festival June 20-21, 2008, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Sponsored by the Pelican Rapids Multi-Cultural Committee and the Pelican Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Taste, listen to and meet the world...without leaving town. As plans are finalized the latest news and schedule of events will be published here.

2008 Festival Program:

IFF11 Logo designer is Kristine Neu, Senior at Pelican Rapids High School

Thursday, June 19, 2008
7:00 p.m. "We Chose Otter Tail County"
Chris Schuelke from The Otter Tail County Historical Society will speak on their current exhibit.
Pelican Rapids Public Library

Friday, June 20, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Ethnic Art and Crafts exhibit at Pelican Rapids Public Library

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Good Neighbor picnic (free hot dogs, beverage) - Good Samaritan Center

1:00 p.m. - Naturalization Ceremony - The Honorable Judge John Tunheim presiding - E.L. Peterson Park (PRHS Fine Arts Auditorium in case of rain)

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Children's Crafts from around the world & Chalk Art workshop by Enoe Guerra - Pelican Rapids Public Library

2:00 p.m. -How Swede It Is- Brent Johnson and Stephanie Wendt presentation about Sweden at Senior Citizens Center (free refreshments)

6:30 p.m. - 125th Anniversary Walking Tour of Historic Pelican Rapids (Tour Guide Marguerite Andrews and Chris Schuelke, OTCHS). Start at Scoops, end at Scoops for free ice cream cones after the Tour.

Saturday, June 21, 2008
9:00 a.m. - Chalk the Walk Broadway Downtown Sidewalk musicians welcome.

10:00 - 11:15 a.m. - Red River Dixieland Band plays on the sidewalk on Broadway (Pelican Rapids, not Fargo)

11:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Ethnic (American, Bosnian, German, Mexican, Scandinavian, Somali, Vietnamese) Food Booths - E.L. Peterson Park

12:00 noon - Flag raising (Music by Band of Faith) Address by The Honorable John R. Tunheim. U.S. District Judge, District of Minnesota. - E.L. Peterson Park

12:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Marketplace and World Craft demonstrations - Sherin Park

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Childrens crafts and games from around the world. PiƱatas at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 pm - Sherin Park

1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - World Music and Dance - Sherin Park Shelter

Featuring (in order of appearance):

Heather & Thistle Bagpipe & Drum Group

Sara Solum Hayashi
: Traditional Japanese Dances

Red River Dixieland Band
from the FM Jazz Arts Group

Raices de Mexico
: Traditional Mexican Dances

Brent Johnson & Stephanie Wendt
: Swedish Folksongs

Traditional Somali Dances:
Local performers

Traditional Bosnian Dances: Local performers

More performances will be added.


Like life, all the above scheduled events are subject to constant changes.


For more information contact Festival Organizer Johanna Christianson

10th Annual International Friendship Festival 2007

9th Annual International Friendship Festival 2006

8th Annual International Friendship Festival 2005

Strangers Becoming Friends (10th Annual International Friendship Festival)

Strangers Becoming Friends is a video snapshot of the annual International Friendship Festival in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Edited by Deb Wallwork and recorded by Media Mike Hazard, it's a video about a global village. For more, visit http://www.thecie.org/

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