North Strand Roundup | Intercultural festival brings community together in Brunswick County

Diversity is the keyword for the Brunswick County Intercultural Festival, and on Sept. 26 more than 20 countries from around the world will exhibit how they are special and unique.

The countries’ flags, a fashion show, food tent and music are all part of the call to recognize diversity. Children express their vision of diversity yet unity through the poster contest, and awards are given at the festival.

Mari-Lou Wong-Chong, chair of the festival and a native of the Philippines, explains that at the Uganda exhibit last year two people met and realized they had worked together as missionaries in that country. At an African-American exhibit, a resident pointed to a displayed picture and said, “That’s my grandfather.” The person with the picture and the resident learned they are cousins.

“It shows how small the world is,” Wong-Chong says. “That’s what this is about. We are different but we learn about each other.”

Musicians and dancers are scheduled beginning with Brunswick Big Band as the Festival opens. Myrtle Beach Thai dancers and Latino Shea Ra Nichi follow. Sea Band, a Caribbean Steel band plays during the International Fashion Show at 12:20 p.m. The Mexican Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano appears at 1 p.m. and comes back at 2 p.m. Between those performances are Hawaiian and Tahitian dancers. Members of the Chinese American TACAS, Japanese drummers and belly dancers are scheduled in the afternoon. Ethnic food tasting goes from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and costs $8 per person.

Children can receive a “passport” and go from country to country, making them aware of the vast diversity, not only throughout the world, but also in Brunswick County. Exhibits include baskets from the Gullah community in Conway and items the Waccamaw Siouan Indians make. Learn about the Argentine tango, the Aztec and Mayan heritage and crafts from Poland. Mexican, Japanese, African and other groups will have displays and exhibits.

“This is a positive experience for children, parents and the community,” Wong-Chong says. “We can understand tolerance and respect each other. It’s a way of bringing the community together.”

Other events on the North Strand

SUNSET BEACH WATERFRONT MARKET

What | Sunset Beach Business and Merchants Association begins a Farmers Market

Where | Sunset Beach Park, 206 Sunset Blvd., Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 29

Cost | Free

Contact | 888-573-2235

Details | Homemade items include jewelry, original art, spices, soaps, cutting board, baked goods, essential oils, jams, jellies, honey and more

PURPLE FEET FESTIVAL

What | Reminiscent of Lucille Ball, a Lucy Look-A-Like contest and grape stomping

Where | Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

When | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19. Look-A-Like contest at 3:30 p.m.

Cost | Pre-purchase, $4 at the winery, at the Thursday Sunset Beach Waterfront Market (see above) or call 910-287-2800. $5 at the door. Children under 12 and Lucy look-alikes, free

Contact | 910-287-2800

Details | Bring your own lawn chairs. Live music by Carolina Breakers with DJ Butch Barnes. Arts and crafts vendors, classic car cruise-in

MASTER GARDENERS ANSWER QUESTIONS

What | Bring lawn and garden problems and questions to have Master Gardeners give answers

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 9 a.m.-noon Fridays through Nov. 13

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173 or Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Free soil sampling

ADULT COLORING SESSION

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 10 a.m. every Tuesday

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173 or Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Library supplies coloring sheets and colors, but people can bring their own

COASTAL SHAG CLUB DANCE

What | Monthly Shag Club dance, includes shag and line dancing and other dances, 50/50 raffle

Where | Shallotte Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 6:30-10 p.m. Sept. 19

Cost | $5 for members of any shag club, $8, guests. If you mention BOGO (buy one/get one), one gets in free

Contact | boyd_pat@yahoo.com, www.Coastalshagclub.org

Details | Club meetings are first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., Shallotte Moose Lodge. Dances are third Saturday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

PETER F. WARREN GIVES PRESENTATION

What | Peter F. Warren discusses his second murder mystery, The Parliament Men. It takes place in North Litchfield and involves the murder of five young men.

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 2 p.m. Sept. 24

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173 or Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Copies of the book available for purchase

CAREGIVER & COFFEE CLINIC

What | Support group and conversations

Where | SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, N.C.

When |Third Monday of month

Cost | Free

Contact | Haylie Long, 910-515-5038 or Haylie.long@lcfh.org

Details | Offers caregivers encouragement and support; those attending share experiences

SUPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS

What | The public is invited to attend the group with Karol Asbjornson as facilitator

Where | Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | 1:30 p.m. second Thursday of each month

Cost | Free, no reservations required

Contact | Karol, 910-575-2452

COFFEE WITH THE AUTHOR

What | Linda Witherspoon, author of “Can I Paint in Heaven?”, is featured speaker

Where | Sunset River Marketplace, 10283 Beach Drive, Calabash, N.C.

When | 10-11 a.m. Oct. 1

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-5999 or lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com

Details | Witherspoon tells of how she survived a stroke, the road to recovery and the effect on her family.

ARLEEN MERCORELLA GIVES PRESENTATION

What | Arleen Mercorella, author of “A Matter of Survival: A Story of Frances,” discusses the book, which is about her mother and the difficulties she experienced growing up not being wanted.

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 3 p.m. Oct. 1

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173 or Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 5:39 AM with the headline "North Strand Roundup | Intercultural festival brings community together in Brunswick County."