The following is a press release from the city of Renton:
For two days in September, the city of Renton will come alive with the sights and sounds of one of the most diverse populations in the country as the city presents the second annual Renton Multicultural Festival, a celebration of diversity and community.
Some of the most talented performers in the area will be on stage September 22 and 23, so if you’ve always wanted to dance the Lion Dance or watch African and Taiko drummers up close, we hope you’ll come take part. Admission to this family friendly festival is free.
On opening night, Friday, September 22, from 7 to 10 p.m., the Carco Theatre (1717 SE Maple Valley Highway) will come alive with performances by Filipino, Hawaiian, East Indian, Irish, Tap and Indian Classical dancers. There will also be performances by Rowan Fae Dance School, Northwest Tap Connection, and Nirtyalaya School of Dance.
On Saturday, September 23, the festival moves downtown to the Renton Pavilion Event Center and Piazza Park (233 Burnett Avenue South) from 3 to 7 p.m., with a mix of dance, music, and martial arts. Two indoor stages will showcase African drummers, Chinese Lion dancers, Mariachi bands, Taiko drummers, a Punjabi dance group, and marital arts demonstrations.
The evening’s grand finale promises to be a show-stopper. The winners of the Miss Asia Washington and Miss India Washington beauty pageants, both being held in Renton on September 16 and 17, will walk the runway. The pageants are produced by Ravishing Women, whose mission is to empower women by providing a platform of pageant to learn, explore, transform and truly live their dreams of being a confident woman and realize their capabilities & strength.
The Multicultural Festival will also have strolling musicians, cultural activities, community booths, food trucks, and arts and crafts. A storytelling booth will be onsite, allowing residents to memorialize their family history to video, which be part of a display at the Renton History Museum.
Free street parking is available throughout downtown Renton for Saturday’s event. The City Center Garage (655 South Second Street) is open from 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Overnight parking is not allowed.
The Renton Multicultural Festival is presented by the city of Renton in partnership with the Mayor’s Inclusion Task Force and several local community groups and organizations. For more information about the festival, visit rentonwa.gov/rentonfestival.
About the city of Renton
The city of Renton, Washington, with a population of 102,700 (2017), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton’s strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
