Last year’s first Celebration of Nations was a huge success – this year’s event will be even bigger and better. On Saturday, Sept. 24, the second Celebration of Nations in Rolla will kick off at 11 a.m. with a parade from campus through downtown, ending at a festival with activities for the whole family. Don’t miss your chance to see camels and other animals, a Chinese dragon, marching bands, international entertainment and much more in this free event.

The Celebration of Nations was created last year to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the cultural diversity in Rolla. It was a great success, thanks to the cooperation between Missouri University of Science and Technology and the city of Rolla.

The parade will begin at the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus and will end at the downtown Rolla festival area, near 9th and Elm streets. More than 80 different countries will be represented, plus floats, a Chinese dragon, an Indian Palki (a traditional wedding carriage), camels, four marching bands, horses and plenty of giveaways.

Following the parade is a free festival featuring an “International Idol” competition at the Rolla band shell (9th and Oak streets), with music and dance performances from around the world. A Japanese Taiko band from St. Louis will open the competition at 12:15 p.m. with a drum performance. They will offer a free drumming workshop later during the festival.

Spend some time browsing the festival displays where local and international crafts will be available for purchase. Reasonably-priced food from more than ten different countries (including local cuisine) will also be on-hand. Get your picture taken with the camels in the sand around the Saudi Arabian tent or eat a crepe in front of the Eiffel Tower. Kids can get their passports stamped at the cultural displays, get their faces painted or enjoy the bounce house and free petting zoo.