The Oak Avenue School community came together Friday to celebrate the ninth annual Oak Global Heritage Festival.
Parents and students volunteered their time, talents and creativity to host food booths representing 21 different countries, and many attended in traditional outfits representing their family heritage.
Students received “boarding passes” to bring to each country’s booth. The booths were colorfully decorated, full of maps and information about each country and brimming with delicacies. Once students arrived at each booth, parents and students would offer information about the country, serve a sample of their food and pass out a sticker depicting that country’s flag to be placed on their boarding pass.
The Oak community then gathered around the blacktop to watch a variety of performances. Artists adorned in vibrant traditional wear showcased their talent as they shared cultural songs and dances. Many of the performers were Oak students and parents, and three Mountain View High School student groups performed a Mexican folklorico dance, a Chinese lion dance and a Chinese yoyo/diabolo act.
The Global Heritage Festival, traditionally Oak’s first event of the year, aims to provide a sense of inclusion and encourage open minds, open hearts and open palates.
