The International Fiesta, a 15-year community tradition organized by the World Neighbor’s Association, will celebrate the cultural diversity of the MSU campus and Starkville on Saturday.
Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Drill Field, and the fiesta will open with a parade of international flags.
“We are very pleased to be able to help sponsor the International Fiesta,” said Phil Bonfanti, director of the International Services Office. “It’s the largest and most diverse cultural event we sponsor, and I am sure it is the only festival of its kind in Mississippi.”
An area will be set up in front of The Union and Lee Hall to provide information on the events-which will include games, a cooking competition, an international fashion show, items for sale and a presentation of bluegrass music.
An Indian rock band will also provide entertainment, along with students from the Mississippi School for Math and Science performing a variety of Latin songs and dances.
“A cricket match between MSU and Ole Miss will immediately follow the events correlating with the fiesta,” American language and culture program lecturer Alison Stamps said.
Human sciences associate professor Phyllis Beth Miller has asked several volunteers from her fashion promotion class to put on the international fashion show. Students, who will tell the history and significance of each garment, will perform the entire show.
“The fashion show has grown tremendously over the years,” Miller said. “The students are becoming more and more creative.”
One fashion show will begin at 11:45 a.m. with African attire, and another will start at 1:15 p.m. with Asian clothing.
“For the cooking competition, students will bring dishes already prepared,” World Neighbor’s Association President Amanda Harrison said.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the main dish and dessert categories.
“We have an international community of more than 900 students, scholars and their families living in Starkville from approximately 70 different countries representing every region of the globe,” Bonfanti said. “The world can truly be found right here in Starkville, and the International Fiesta is our way of celebrating and sharing this wealth of diversity with the Starkville community.”