Explore the world at UNLV’s Festival of Communities

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Adults, children, students and those interested in exploring a world of culture may enjoy the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Festival of Communities, slated from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 21 on campus, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The festival includes booths from student and community organizations, from culture-based groups to clubs focused on different academic subjects and various interests.

Activities such as crafts, face painting and a bounce house are scheduled to be available for children. Various types of live entertainment and food, from Greek cuisine to liquid nitrogen ice cream and everything in between, also are expected to be part of the festival.

Nathan Hanke, assistant director for student activities, said the Festival of Communities is designed to give attendees a sense of different cultures and aspects of the valley with which they may be unfamiliar.

"I think people who come really get a taste of the breadth of culture," Hanke said. "We are typically aiming at the student population, which highlights the richness and culture of the Las Vegas Valley."

Hanke said students from the colleges and social clubs cook the food available for purchase at the festival, which, in turn, helps fund their organizations.

Aside from the festival being a fundraiser for university clubs and departments, Hanke said it gives students an opportunity to showcase their interests.

"The student organizations are able to represent who they are and what their passions are about," Hanke said. "You’ll see, for example, the Nepalese Society next to the health club, which gives you an idea of the variety. You can take this brief tour around the world."

Ryan Ocampo, a UNLV student and emcee with the Festival of Communities, anticipates attendees being able to experience something different from what they might expect in the Paradise area.

"What I like about this festival is that it’s on campus, which (UNLV) is sometimes overlooked in Las Vegas," Ocampo said. "I think centering the festival on campus, especially with the surrounding neighbors in Paradise, shows we have more than just the Strip and celebrities here."

Hanke said each year has attracted more attendees than the previous, topping more than 7,000 visitors last year. He expects at least 10,000 people to attend this year, especially with the number of other activities set to happen on campus, such as a UNLV baseball game and "Disney on Ice" at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Hanke said one notable part of the festival is the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Symposium, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard Tam Alumni Center. He said the symposium offers a look at cutting-edge undergraduate student research in various fields.

Ocampo said having participated in the festival as a volunteer and attendee, he understands the value that the event has to the community.

"As a participant, you really get to take in the sights and sounds of the festival," Ocampo said. "You get to see a lot of different cultures but having the feeling that you’re all part of the same community."

For more information on the Festival of Communities, call 895-5631 or visit festivals.unlv.edu.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.