LEWISBURG — A warm, late-summer day welcomed hundreds of visitors to the inaugural Lewisburg International Festival at Hufnagle Park on Saturday. “It brings me immense pride and joy to stand before you today as we celebrate the beauty of our diversity, the strength of our unity, and the shared experiences that bind us together as one community,” Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez said at the start of the festival. Alvarez said the event holds special meaning to her.
“As an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago who grew up here in Lewisburg and attended Bucknell University, I know firsthand what it means to find a home in a new place. My journey, like so many of yours, has been about embracing new experiences and cultures, navigating new traditions, and finding belonging in the heart of this town,” she said. “I want Lewisburg to be a community that welcomes people from all walks of life, and this festival is a shining example of that spirit.
It reminds us that whether you've lived here for decades or just recently made Lewisburg your home, you are part of the vibrant, dynamic fabric that makes this town so special.” The five-hour celebration showcased the unique culture, stories and traditions that enrich the Lewisburg area community. The festival was a collaboration between Bucknell, the Borough of Lewisburg and an array of community groups, international student organizations and global food vendors.
Mariah Suarez, who lives and works in Milton, attended along with her husband and children. “I’m from Puerto Rico and have always found the Valley welcoming to my family. I just wanted to be here and celebrate with the organizations that make this community great,” she said.
Among the entertainers was Sarddha Subhedi, from Nepal, who danced under the gazebo awning a “Salvation Dance,” she said. Subhedi is a freshman at Susquehanna University. Another attendee was Franklin Debose, of the Mifflinburg area.
He said he was there in town to shop, but was drawn to the festival when he heard the music blaring from a loudspeaker. Rain that threatened late afternoon held off, much to the delight of organizers..
