COLDWATER, MI. — Hundreds gathered at Tibbits Plaza on Saturday afternoon for the third annual Cultural Jubilee, celebrating the area’s growing diversity.
Community Center Director Kathy Bappert noted a decrease in participation from Hispanic and Haitian residents.
“Many expressed concerns about potential ICE presence,” Bappert said, noting this included legal residents and U.S. citizens.
Families enjoyed entertainment from 1 to 6 p.m., with performances on the Tibbits Opera House steps and dancing on S. Hanchett Street.
Booths from various community organizations and vendors with ethnic fare gave different perspectives on immigrant communities, and the indigenous people who first lived here.
Tibbits Foundation Executive Director Chris Delaney said the Jubilee began after a pre-COVID-19 diversity and inclusion training program organized by the Tibbits Opera House Foundation, the Branch County Community Foundation, and the Branch Intermediate School District.
The training challenged board members to find ways to welcome new residents while respecting and preserving their cultures.
The groups brought this initiative to the community, organizing a month-long series of events three years ago.
Because the month-long format required extensive coordination, organizers eventually condensed the celebration into a single day, creating the Cultural Jubilee.
Delaney said the Jubilee has evolved from being planned mostly by outsiders to being led by local cultural groups.
“Today, the Jubilee offers authentic experiences in food, music, dance, art, and displays—showcasing Coldwater’s diversity and reinforcing that a welcoming community is a stronger community,” Delaney said.
Members of Coldwater High School’s Culture Club shared how they provide “a space for people to learn about other cultures, traditions, food, and music, while appreciating and celebrating the richness of a diverse community.”
The entertainment lineup featured Jordanian Arab dance by Zafet Layaly Bint Jbeil from Chicago, performances by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Spanish Flamenco dance by Ballet Folklorico from Indiana University Fort Wayne, traditional dance by Coldwater’s Yemeni American community, and Haitian music and song.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater’s Cultural Jubilee celebrates diversity on Saturday
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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