Anyone looking to watch Turkish folk dancing and eat a burrito at the same time need not look further than the Alameda County Fairgrounds because tomorrow the Pleasanton PTA Council is hosting it’s second “Passport to Pleasanton” multicultural fair. People representing the diverse cultures in Pleasanton will gather at the Fairgrounds from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday April 29 showcasing the city’s diversity with booths, food and performances.
“I think our main goal is to have people appreciate the diversity in our community and realize the value,” said Debbie Look, president of the PTA Council. “The Fair brings the community together and gives us the opportunity to learn about other cultures.”
The Fairgrounds will be filled with interactive booths and people can enjoy live performances throughout the day showcasing traditional Indian, Korean, Chinese and Irish dance, to name a few. Amador Valley High School’s Black Student Union is also putting on a performance and there is expected to be a presentation of the traditional Japanese musical art of taiko drum as well.
In addition to the entertainment, several community organizations will be present to provide information about resources available to families moving to Pleasanton from different countries. These organizations include the Pleasanton Public Library, Amador Valley Adult Education, the city of Pleasanton and, of course, the PTA Council.
Last year was the first time the PTA Council held “Passport to Pleasanton” and it was a huge success. When planning the event last year, Look said the organizers agreed that if 250 people attended it would be considered a success. Throughout the day, 800 people came.
“We were just thrilled,” Look said. “It definitely exceeded our expectations. We received so many wonderful, positive comments from people who said they learned so much and realized the diversity we had in our community.”
Given last year’s success, the organizers decided to move the event from last year’s venue, the Amador cafeteria, to the Fairgrounds in order to accommodate larger numbers.
“It’s a unique event that many people haven’t experienced,” Look said. “This event is nice because it’s a family event. It doesn’t cost anything to attend and it’s a good way for families to have a nice time together while learning something new. It gives people a chance to experience things they wouldn’t have the opportunity to otherwise.”
