Hurricane Isabel prevented last year's Sacramento Community Day, but this year's event, held last Saturday, proved to be bigger and better than ever.
The Third Annual Sacramento Community Day Extravaganza 2004, also known as The Multi-Cultural May Day Event, was held in the parking lot of the Sacramento Neighborhood Center.
There were activities for young and old — everything from hula dancers to bingo to clowns to a moon bounce. Mrs. District of Columbia 2004 was on hand to sign autographs. Several members of the hula group, Ke Anuenue Punahele, performed on stage for guests. This group, which means "Favorite Rainbow," works on perpetuating their Hawaiian culture by performing at events such as the Multi-Cultural Day.
The group's mission is to show how multiple races, multiple lifestyles and multiple professions can work in harmony to perpetuate the ancient dance and traditions of Hawaii through study of the Hawaiian language, Historical research, Hawaiian cultural skills (crafts) and Hula dance.
ALSO PERFORMING on stage was the Mount Vernon Color Guard, West Potomac Steppers and the Washington Mill Select Chorus with Music Director Marlene Flemin-Dillon. Over a dozen vendors set up booths to sell everything from socks to dishcloths. Various vendors cooked up ethnic food, including hambones. Members of the Mason Neck Lion's Club sold hot dogs and hamburgers as a fundraiser for their club.
L.T. Carson, director of the Sacramento Neighborhood Center, said, "I'm so thankful for the great weather, plus, we have a lot more resources. It grows bigger every year."