New Multicultural Festival slated on Saturday

Polynesian, Aztec and California Native American dance performances will grace the stage at a new event in Colusa on Saturday.

The Multicultural Festival will be hosted by Indigenous Circles United and the Cultural Awareness Coalition of Colusa County from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Will S. Green Park.

The free event will include cultural activities, informational booths, vendors and a Kids Zone.

The Colusa County Arts Council will also host an art exhibit at the event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

"It's for everyone to get together and build a stronger community. We want families to come and enjoy themselves and come to learn about the different cultures in our county," said Amanda Mitchum, community liaison for Indigenous Circles United.

Indigenous Circles United is a community center with a native philosophy, according to Rich Rugado Jr., co-founder and president.

The Cultural Awareness Coalition was formulated from a cultural competency conference held earlier this year at the Colusa Indian Community Center. The coalition includes Hand-in-Hand Learning Center, Colusa Library, Colusa County Arts Council, Indigenous Circles United, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and Colusa Unified School District Superintendent Dwayne Newman.

"We formed the coalition through the conference, and this is the social action component that came out of that conference. Through the group dynamics, we wanted to take the tools that we gained and apply them," said Ragudo.

For more information, visit the Indigenous Circles United office at 650 Market St. or call Ragudo at 501-3087 or Mitchum at 788-8655.