AVONDALE, Arizona – The cities of Avondale and Goodyear will celebrate the multi-cultural flavor of the Southwest Valley with an internationally-themed Tale of Two Cities Parade & Festival on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. This fourth annual community wide celebration is free and open to the public. With a 10 a.m. scheduled start, the parade will begin at the Goodyear Community Park, heading south to Dysart, and ending at the festival site at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC). The festival will run from noon to 3:00 p.m., offering two stages with music and dance, culture, world food, vendor and education booths.
The festival will host a Naturalization Ceremony on the Main Stage at noon, where a152 of America’s newest citizens will take the oath of citizenship, presented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Featured keynote speaker will be Logan White, the Senior Advisor to the General Manager & Pro Scouting Director of the San Diego Padres. White is also a naturalizated citizen.
Tale of Two Cities Parade & Festival - International Celebration
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Parade: 10:00 a.m.
Festival: noon - 3:00 p.m.
Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 North Dysart Road; Avondale, AZ 85392
** SEE BELOW FOR CAMPUS AND STREET CLOSURE INFORMATION **
Parade of Cultures
The parade will promote various cultures from around the globe, with music and performances from a variety of artists to complement the experience. With approximately 90 parade entries, the procession will also include decorated floats, marching school bands, cultural dance groups, local celebrities and state political figures, celebrated mascots, foreign makes of antique and specialty vehicles, community and school clubs, scouts, and more.
This year's Grand Marshal is Arizona Cactus League. A celebrated representative from the Cactus League will lead the parade. The Cactus League is being honored this year for the important role that the international sport of baseball plays in the Southwest Valley, where some of the greatest baseball players and many fans come from around the world to participate in Spring Training fun.
A few of the many highlight entries of the parade include WWII Stearman Bi-Planes (4 to fly over), appearance by Ronald McDonald, Phoenix Bag Pipe Band, El Zaribah Shrine Transit Unit, Wells Fargo Stage Coach, the colorful dancers of Ballet Folklorico Esperanza, and street dance performance of the Chinese Dragon from Dynamic Wushu.
A World of Performances, an honoring of diversity
Stage entertainment will feature a series of performances representing many of the world's cultures. Fans will enjoy song, instrumentals and dances performances from multiple cultures. The list of performers include Phoenix Bag Pipe Band, Ballet Folklorico Esperanza, Mariachi’s by Tolleson Elementary, Dynamic Wushu Chinese Dragon, African Drum & Dance Theater, and Poi Chinese Fans & Fire Dancing.
The festival will host a Naturalization Ceremony on the Main Stage at noon, where approximately 200 of America’s newest citizens will take oath, presented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
A World of Cuisine
Authentic food from nations around the world such as Greek, Mexican, Asian, Native American, Dutch, Mediterranean, and more. Some of the confirmed food vendors include Montana BBQ, Satay Hut, Zeta’s Grill, Molly’s Tamales, White Eyes Fresh Fry Bread, East Asian Bistro, Triple Dot, Cactus Corn, and Mister Softee.
Kid's Zone
Children will be able to take part in free activities and fun. The zone will include a bounce house, rock wall, wave slide, carnival games, face painting, and crafts for the kids.
Exhibits/Booths
Vendors, businesses, community organizations and sponsors, as well as city services from Avondale and Goodyear, will be participating to provide information and opportunities. Arts, crafts and food booths help create the international theme.
Parking and courtesy shuttle
Free parking will be available at St. Thomas Aquinas Church (enter from 137th Ave.), Palm Valley Elementary (enter from 135th Ave.) and Estrella Mountain Community College (enter from the North, off Dysart Rd). A convenient courtesy shuttle will also be made available at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church parking lot that will take people to and from the festival location.
** CAMPUS AND STREET CLOSURE INFORMATION **
Campus Closures:
The Thomas entrances to the campus will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon. Sage entrance (at the Public Safety Building) will remain open for college access.
Campus Parking Lot Closures:
- Part of Lot B (Faculty/Staff Parking) will be closed for vendor and exhibitor access/parking.
- Lot CE (outside Komatke) will be closed on Friday, February 20th and Saturday February 21st for a stage and food trucks.
Street Closures:
7 a.m. - noon....Northbound Litchfield Rd., between Indian School & Thomas
7 a.m. - noon...Thomas Rd., between Litchfield & Thomas
9 a.m. - noon...Dysart Rd closed between Sage (college entrance) and Encanto
For further information, visit www.taleof2cities.org or call Avondale Recreation at 623-333-2400.
This event is a collaborative between the cities of Avondale, Goodyear and Estrella Mountain Community College. The event is produced by Goosebump Marketing and Events, brought to you in part by our major contributing sponsors: APS, AtoZ Equipment Rentals, Avondale Mitsubishi, Cox Communications, Estrella Mountain Community College Culinary Institute, Grand Canyon University, Liberty Utilities, West Valley Hospital and West Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.