A dancer from the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh performs during the 11th annual Festival of Nations, held Saturday at the Millsop Community Center in Weirton. The event is hosted by the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. -Craig Howell
WEIRTON — It was a trip around the world at the Millsop Community Center in Weirton Saturday as the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center presented the 11th annual Festival of Nations.
As part of this year’s festival, area residents had the opportunity to sample food, music, dance and more from nearly 20 nationalities and cultures.
Describing the festival as “unity and diversity at its best”, committee chairman Kalpana Gupta welcomed locals gathered in the centre’s gymnasium, pointing out the different international flags hanging on the walls, as well as the different foods , costumes and sounds presented throughout the day. .
“It’s so nice to see so many colors and so many flags,” Gupta said.
The festival was launched by the museum in homage to a similar celebration founded by ET Weir in the 1930s and 1940s, reflecting the international heritage of the families working at Weirton Steel.
The staff of Café Delhi, located in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, served a variety of Indian dishes Saturday at the 11th annual Festival of Nations in Weirton. -Craig Howell
The modern festival provides insight into many traditions passed down through generations of Weirton residents.
Saturday’s performances included groups representing India, Greece, the Philippines, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Israel, Russia, China, the Middle East, Japan and the United States.
The food included samples from the United States, African American culture, China, Greece, India, Italy, Mexico and the Philippines, while display boards providing information on a a number of nationalities were also available.
Gupta thanked Dr JK Luthra, who chaired the committee for the first 10 years of the festival, and the festival committee members.
“This festival is not the work of one person,” she said. “It’s done by a whole community.”
Mayor Harold Miller also took a moment to welcome those in attendance.
“That’s a lot of friends,” Miller said. “I hope you have a good time.”
To add to the international theme, Miller drew the nationality that will appear on this year’s Weirton Renaissance Christmas ornament, selecting Greece as the third in the ongoing series.
This year’s title sponsor was Weirton Medical Center.
The Platinum Sponsor was Petrola Family Real Estate LLC. Silver Sponsors were Everett and Hurite Opthalmic Association, First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Drs. Juginder and Dolly Luthra, Weirton Medical Center Medical Staff, Professional Tire and Alignment, Rotary Club of Weirton Heights, Drs. Sanjay and Kalpana Gupta, and Dr. Tac Lee, Lee Eye Center. Gold Sponsors included All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Assure America, Cafe Delhi, Catherine Kochman, Dr. Cherian and Mariamma John, Dr. Edward J. Jagela, Dr. Gurdev and Mrs. Surinderjit Purewal, Gus and Agnes Monezi of Gus’s Goodies , Dr. Janis E. Reed and Lytle and Associates. Bronze sponsors were Garibaldi Lodge Follansbee, Goldie Baly, Dr. Jasbir Makar, Jeffrey Schuetz of Schuetz Funeral Home and RE Saxon Jeweler.
(Howell can be reached at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)
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A dancer from the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh performs during the 11th annual Festival of Nations, held Saturday at the Millsop Community Center in Weirton. The event is hosted by the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. -Craig Howell
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The staff of Café Delhi, located in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, served a variety of Indian dishes Saturday at the 11th annual Festival of Nations in Weirton. -Craig Howell
