The was full of life, laughter, and culture last weekend during the .
The popular event, which hosted by Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (FAE) and the City of Cerritos, provides both children and adults with the opportunities to view and experience different mediums of art and a variety of cultural performances. Some of the most popular festivities included the arts and crafts area, food trucks, and several dancing Chinese dragons.
Parent and Family Arts Festival performer Angela Russ enjoys bringing her own family to the festival every year.
"I think it is very important to have free cultural events," Russ said. "I think it is important to us culturally to have free events where everyone can see other other ethnicities and cultures perform."
Unfortunately, this annual event was canceled last year due to budget cuts. But the festival returned this year due in part to the help from the city, various sponsors, and a very supportive group of volunteers.
Event volunteer and member of the Teacher Advisory Committee Pam Hickok spoke highly about those that came out to support the festival, many of whom came from all walks of life.
"Cerritos is really good about getting kids to volunteer over here," Hickok said.
Several of the performers, such as members of the Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club, doubled as volunteers and vendors throughout the festival. Students from , Artesia, and high schools assisted children in the Young Artist Corner with a wide array of crafts and projects. Students from also contriubuted, as their marching band and color guard performed after the Grand Parade to close out the festivities.
If you were one of the unlucky few that missed out on this wonderful event, mark your calendars now! The Family Arts Festival is hosted at the CCPA on the first Sunday of June every year.
