The Tri-City area is known for its broad diversity of cultural backgrounds and it is this fact that the Indo-American Community Federation (IACF) along with other ethnic organizations are aiming to leverage by facilitating and organizing a Unity Festival on October 15 and 16 at Ohlone College in Fremont.

“We started organizing Unity Dinners right after the events of September 11, 2001,” said Jeevan Zutshi , founder and chairman of IACF. “It was important to bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together to foster unity in the community.” Although the dinners were successful, Zutshi felt that since they were indoors and in the evenings, attendance was limited. The group decided to try something different; to make the event available to a larger audience. Zutshi commented that, “It will be good to have an outdoor event like this festival that can bring more people together.”

The IACF, together with Ohlone College, Citizens for Better Community (CBC), Hispanic Heritage Council and American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPIO) will host the first Unity Festival in Fremont. For a nominal entry fee of $3, visitors can enjoy various cultural programs including Bollywood and Hollywood expressions, Bhangra, Chinese Fantasia Performing Arts, Koto Oaktown Japanese and World Jazz Fusion, Omei Martial Arts, Lisa’s Dance and Performing Arts, Japanese drums and Hispanic
dances.

Over 30 booths will offer, a variety of ethnic foods and arts and crafts including custom jewelry, and a Mehndi booth where patrons can paint colorful patterns on their hands with special henna leaves (a temporary tattoo).