SE Valley Times

The City of Chandler is preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Multicultural Festival, a free event dedicated to showcasing the city's cultural diversity. The festival will take place on Saturday, January 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza in Downtown Chandler.

This year's festival promises to be the largest yet, featuring live performances from both local and international talent across two stages. Attendees can explore unique items from around the world and engage with various nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and educational groups that serve Chandler's diverse communities.

Food lovers will have an opportunity to sample a wide variety of cuisines for purchase, including dishes from Jamaica and the Caribbean, Mexico, Colombia, Hawaii, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, India, France, Germany and Croatia as well as traditional American fare.

For children attending the festival, activities include an interactive "trip around the world," educational STEM booths and an inflatable obstacle course sponsored by the Arizona Cardinals.

A new addition this year is a custom cruiser car show featuring vehicles from across the Valley. Trophies will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place cars with attendees voting for their favorite in the People’s Choice Award category.

Before festivities begin at 10 a.m., approximately 100 individuals will become U.S. citizens during a Naturalization Ceremony hosted by Chandler’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Division in partnership with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Chief Presiding Judge Alicia Skupin will deliver a keynote address sharing her insights as a first-generation Latina and relative of naturalized citizens.

Sponsors for this year's event include SRP (Salt River Project), Intel Corporation Arizona Cardinals Football Club LLC ,and PFM Asset Management LLC ensuring free admission along with parking options available throughout downtown areas

For further details about performances or participation opportunities please reach out directly either Adrianna Tušek Erickson via phone number listed here(480)7822224or Dara Gibson contactable through same line but ending digit differing slightly being one less (480)7822221