From kites to coffee, global cultures on display

Rhythmic drum beats echoed for blocks, and tantalizing smells of made-to-order dumplings and freshly stuffed pupusas welcomed guests to the sixth annual World of Montgomery Festival on Sunday.

Westfield Wheaton’s parking lot was transformed into a brilliantly colored display of cultural diversity. Thousands enjoyed the free event showcasing Montgomery County’s rich diversity.

The festival was sponsored by Fund for Montgomery and organized by KID (Kids International Discovery) Museum. The museum, which will have a grand opening on Sunday in Bethesda, led many hands-on, kid-friendly activities, such as making, decorating, and flying kites. Parents joined children in directing newly made kites through the windy weekend sky.

The museum also organized a festival passport for children, with a scavenger hunt, fun facts about cultures, and a spot for stamps from each country’s booth.

“I love this event,” said Amanda West, a mother of two from Silver Spring. “My kids interact with these cultures every day, but this is a great chance for them to really learn about it. Now my 4-year-old wants to go to China and meet the pandas.”

The festival featured exhibits representing the four largest immigrant populations in Montgomery County: China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, and India. Each exhibit was filled with artifacts and clothing, and had hands-on experiences for children.

The Chinese tent had lessons on drawing Chinese characters and the ancient art of paper cutting. There were other traditional Chinese activities, such as organizing brightly colored plastic shapes to create a picture. A few talented Chinese artists drew flowers and panda bears on T-shirts and gave them to guests.

The El Salvadorian tent had lessons for children on making a “capirucho” game. Guests tied string to a wooden ball, fastened the string through a hole in a foam cup, and practiced flinging the ball in the air, so it would land in the cup.

The Ethiopian tent was popular on the cool blustery fall day, as guests warmed up while experiencing a traditional coffee ceremony. Guests breathed in the aroma of brewed coffee, which was poured continuously into many small cups on an ornate trey and offered to guests.

At the Ethiopian exhibit, children learned how to make pinwheels and write their names in Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language.

In the Indian tent, visitors tried on saris and turbans, and played authentic Indian instruments, including the sitar, the sarod, and the sarangi.

People decorated clothes using traditional Indian dyes. Guests received white T-shirts and the opportunity to turn them into a variety of vibrant colors.

Each country was represented by at least one food station. The Dumpling Dojo had chicken and shrimp dumplings in bacon. Los Cobanos offered meat and veggie tacquitos. The Taste of Meski food truck tossed traditional Ethiopian salads, and Tandoori Nights grilled chicken and rice.

Performances at either end of the festival ranged from dancers on stilts to children dancing with swords.

The entire festival paused as volunteers left their booths to watch and participate in a parade. Groups danced and marched their way around the festival grounds and interacted with any audience members who would let them.

“I loved the parade. I danced with the drums and a giant,” said 3-year-old Juan-Pablo Herrera, referring to a man on stilts. “I can’t wait to come back next year.”

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