The 19th Annual Oxnard Multicultural Festival, presented by the City of Oxnard’s Community Relations Commission, was a celebration of the embrace of a variety of cultures and world views. People from every corner of the world attended the festival to participate and engage in a diverse community.

“I’ve lived [in Oxnard] for a decade and this is my first time at the festival,” said Oxnard resident Lori King. “It’s exciting and I’ll definitely be coming back.”

The Multicultural Festival consisted of a variety of international booths selling traditional goods like jewelry or snacks, live entertainment, including bands and dance performances, and a wide selection of food vendors, from gourmet food trucks to local restaurants. Best of all, admission was free.

The festival was successful in bringing people together and sharing each other’s cultures. People gathered on the dance floor to move to the Pop/R&B;/Latin sounds of the Ventura band InStone. Others watched in awe during the performance of Mestizo, a Mexican ballet folklorico dance group. Many took pictures of the traditional Hawaiian performance of Ka Hale Hula O Pilalohaokalani O Hilo.

“The music was too good to just stay sitting down,” said Los Angeles resident and dance enthusiast Laura Parra.

After dancing the day away, many would take a break by visiting one of the various international booths and explore the dozens of trinkets laid out on each table. Others would take their break by stopping by one of the food vendors, like the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck.

As the festival came to a close with the traditional Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstration performance, attendants of the festival seemed content with their experience.

“It was a perfect Saturday to spend with my family and learn about different cultures,” said Thousand Oaks resident Kris Nguyen.

The Oxnard Multicultural Festival is one of the many events from local communities that encourages discovering diversity and celebrating cultures. The City of Oxnard was able to honor and share its varied heritage through the festival.