TapestryFest will celebrate Southeastern Iowa Diversity

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant chapter of PFLAG, with the help of numerous community organizations, will bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity at TapestryFest in Central Park Saturday, Oct. 7 from 1-5 p.m.

The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the many different cultures represented at this free event through music, food, information tables and children’s activities.

As guests to the event enjoy entertainment including Latin American vocals and guitar by Leo Lunas, music from Ming Viera, and dramatic poetry from Nephi Sanchez they also will learn about these many cultures at informational tables and partake in international cuisine.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Matt Mitchell with PFLAG said.

According to Mitchell, the event will host those representing African American and Indigenous cultures as well as those sharing about countries such as Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, China, Mexico, Sweden, and Ukraine.

“When I think of tapestry, originally I think of it sense of an art piece or something that’s got just a whole bunch of different medias to make a whole picture of art,” Mitchell said. “I think that is a good name for this event because we are trying to bring together a whole bunch of different cultures especially those that are represented in Southeast Iowa just to celebrate the uniqueness, the individuality and the diverseness of all of these people.”

Motivated by a desire to showcase the myriad cultures, traditions, and experiences in Southeast Iowa, PFLAG’s vision for the event includes four main ideas:

1. Embrace Our Uniqueness: TapestryFest honors each person in Southeast Iowa, recognizing that every story is an essential thread in the fabric of our community.

2. Showcase a Canvas of Differences: we revel in the diverse perspectives, cultures, and traditions that add depth and meaning to our collective canvas.

3. Unite in Harmony: The festival fosters an environment where people come together nurturing mutual respect and understanding.

4. Find Common Threads: Despite our differences, we discover the shared values and aspirations that unite us as a community.

“I think it is a great opportunity for those of us in Southeast Iowa, particularly Mt. Pleasant, Henry County to get together and embrace one another for all the good things that we do,” Mitchell said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com