Lake Forest is set to host its first-ever multicultural event this Saturday, June 8, at the Civic Center.
The free event is meant to represent the diversity in Lake Forest and throughout Orange County with various bands, dance performances and food.
Entertainment will include performances from Mariachi Toro, Folklorico Amanacer, Bollywood Dance Company, Qing Wei Lion and Dragon troupe and the RumbaLa Cuban Band. Taiko drummers, too, will perform. Next to the entertainment, banners will explain the symbolism and customs behind the performances.
“Our true goal is not only to entertain those in attendance but to educate them about the traditions of the different cultures that our community richer,” said Lake Forest spokesperson Jonathan Volzke.
Related: Lake Forest will host its first multicultural event next year
Booths will line the Lake Forest Civic Center campus, showcasing storytelling baskets, hand-painted artwork, jewelry, calligraphy and more.
And then there is the delicious food.
The event will provide hamburgers and hotdogs as well as cuisine from Los Compadres Mexican Food Truck, Fry Stop, Spencer’s Indian Mart, Caspian Mediterranean Restaurant and Scooter’s Italian Ice.
Councilmember Benjamin Yu, one of the event’s proponents, said he is “genuinely excited to see the event come to fruition.”
“Lake Forest has significantly increased minority and immigrant populations in recent years,” Yu said. “As an Asian immigrant, I am proud of our city’s progress in appreciating and showcasing our diversity and inclusiveness. Along with many initiatives, I am honored and humbled to continue the change and transformation to meet the needs of our culturally vibrant communities.”
At the event, Lake Forest officials will unveil its new service to assist those with limited English proficiency who want to address the City Council.
“Lake Forest currently provides the translation of public information using a variety of methods,” Volzke said. “The city is expanding those methods to include an option for in-person translation of public comments during City Council meetings for those speakers that are not proficient in English.”
According to a 2021 census survey, 14.1% of Lake Forest residents predominantly speak Spanish in the home, and 12.7% predominantly speak one of the languages included in the Asian Pacific Islander category.
“By removing the English proficiency barrier, the expansion of services will advance the city’s goals of ensuring our community is engaged and informed,” Volzke said.
More details regarding this service will be provided at the event, Volzke said.
Lake Forest officials have been researching and exploring options for a multicultural event like this since June 2023. The City Council unanimously approved the event’s creation in November, with a budget of $10,000.
Then, councilmembers said they hoped to see this event blossom into a yearly tradition for the city.
The multicultural event will take place at the Lake Forest Civic Center, located at 100 Civic Center Dr., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Parking will be available at the Civic Center.
