WIDE, Womxn for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity with sponsor Clark Companies and Sportsfield Specialties will host the fourth annual World W.I.D.E Family Festival on Saturday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, at Delhi’s Courthouse Square after The Bridge Run. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is the only multicultural celebration in the Catskills. WIDE, a group of local womxn, focuses on amplifying the voices of historically excluded communities to better educate future generations and help spread a message of acceptance as a community. The festival is run entirely by local volunteers who want to share their history or a culture that they care about. The Cannon Free Library will be returning for the fourth year and teaching about China’s tradition of rice painting. New this year is Russia with Matryoshka dolls, commonly known as nesting dolls. Each family will get their own to paint while learning about the significance of this art form and Anna Homejier is back to share another new tradition from the Ukraine.
While there are many incredible craft tables, such as Identity pin making with Delaware County Pride and Japanese Caligraphy, there will also be special sports events. Kids will learn about the Haudenosaunee history of Lacrosse and play games with Hartwick’s Lacross Coach. EVAN is setting up an obstacle course to spread Autism Awareness and there is a special Juneteenth Yoga walk, educating about this historical event while learning peaceful poses. OJJA: Delhi is teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu self-defense and its cultural significance. This was a huge hit last year and we are grateful they will be returning.
Every year WIDE has a special performance and this year, the celebrated Drag Performer Porcelain Platinum will be on stage at 1:30 p.m. to lip sync some family friendly tunes and encourage a message of love and tolerance. Local DJ Sara Sisco will be on site spinning her fresh beats, keeping the atmosphere celebratory all day long.
Authentic Mexican food will be provided by Azul, a Oneonta restaurant that is run by a beloved Delhi Mexican family. WIDE will have their now famous Bake Sale for anyone with a sweet tooth. Additionally, any runners returning to the square after the Covered Bridge Run can show their race bib in exchange for a free baked good.
Every child that attends the festival will receive a special passport where they collect stamps as they travel through the globe. Once completed they are entered to win one basket of multicultural goodies. The drawing is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. after Porcelain Platinum. Entries are free.
For more information on WIDE and the schedule for the festival visit www.wideny.org. The festival is free and open to the public. You can also find information on our Facebook page and Instagram @wide.ny
