As the seasons begin to shift from winter to spring, the Multicultural Leadership Organization (MCLO) is preparing for its 2022 Cultural Extravaganza, which will be outdoors for the second time since its debut.
The 2022 Cultural Extravaganza is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 26, on Founder’s Plaza at Newman University. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for general admission, and $3 for children ages 2 to 10. Anyone interested in volunteering can also sign up online, and will receive a free plate of food for helping.
Cultural Extravaganza brings food, performances, culture, fun
Carolina Mariscal, a senior studying biology and president of MCLO, shared event details.
“Guests can look forward to seeing many performances such as dance groups, modeling of cultural attire, and singers,” said Mariscal. “The performances vary from traditional Chinese fan dances to modern K-pop routines.”
There will be plenty of individual vendors to visit once again, each bringing with them their own cultures, stories and things to sell and share.
“We have booths open to visit, which can be hosted by either local organizations or independent vendors,” she continued. “Guests are encouraged to purchase art for sale such as photography and jewelry. By visiting all the booths, guests can put their names in a drawing for prizes from local businesses. These items are either gift cards or gift baskets.”
To capture memories of the event, guests can visit the Lamphouse Photo Booth and receive digital copies of their photos.
Of course, as always, there will be a buffet with an array of food, celebrating the diversity of many different countries and cultures.
“With the entry fee, guests are permitted one pass through the buffet line that gives them the opportunity to taste cuisines from around the world,” Mariscal said. “We have entrees, sides, desserts and beverages catered from Wichita-area restaurants or home chefs.”
Celebrating diversity
Mariscal spoke about the beauty and importance of sharing unique experiences and listening to one another’s perspectives.
“This event is important because we are able to actively display the diversity of our communities. Being an undergraduate student, it can become very easy to assimilate to the generic ‘American college student’ culture. We want to break those barriers and show the wide array of backgrounds and heritages that surround us in our own city. We definitely want to allow guests the opportunity to experience something that they may not have even heard of before the event.”
She urges any and all who are interested to come join in on the Cultural Extravaganza festivities.
Mariscal added, “People should come to this event because it showcases the amazing things we can create by coming together as a community to appreciate our differences. The campus becomes exciting as it flourishes with talents from all backgrounds. There is for sure something for everyone to enjoy.”
2022 Cultural Extravaganza performers and featured booths
MCLO would like to thank the following performers and featured businesses who are participating in this year’s Cultural Extravaganza.
- BE SEEN
- East High Cultural Dance Club
- East High Lion Dance
- FriendsU HALO
- Miss Cambodia Wichita
- National Association of Asian American Professionals Wichita Chapter (NAAAP-Wichita)
- Positive Directions
- Raices de mi Tierra (Folklorico dance)
- Wichita Asian Association (WAA)
- Wichita Sister’s City
- Wichita Thunders Hockey
- WSU K-Veristity
- WSU TLC
2022 sponsors and vendors
The Cultural Extravaganza would not be possible without the help of generous sponsors and food vendors.
- Asian Bistro
- Bella Luna Cafe
- Charlie’s Car Wash
- Cinnamon’s Deli
- Crafted
- Grace Market
- Insurance Shoppe
- Knolla’s Pizza
- Kung Fu Tea
- Las Delicias ICT
- Paleteria La Reyna
- Panaderia la Casa de mi Abuela
- San Salvador Cafe
- Hanna Nails
