For smaller slideshow of all pictures click on or paste in browser: http://gallery.mac.com/printerguy402#100130&bgcolor=black
I was very pleased with the Central Park International Market on Saturday, September 1, 2007. The variety and taste experience of the foods was amazing. I think it was much better than the state fair. I'm looking forward to next year and I hope the number of vendors increases. Thank you.
Tom Kotnour
This email was one of the many comments I heard from a very fun, exciting, and successful International Market. The weather was perfect, the smell of many different foods drew us up and down the many vendors several times, and was not disappointed from the many tasteful morsels. There were many different cultures represented and all delicious.
The four music groups and Joseph Mbele telling stories about his home in Tanzania kept us entertained all day. The Fire trucks was a hit with all the kids and parents. Health Finders was there with information, Centro Campesino checked blood pressure and levels of blood sugars. There were many stands with crafts, balloons, handmade carvings and many more.
Some new vendors came later and replaced many of the vendors that ran out of the food early because there was more people then expected. There were at least 5 or 6 times as many people there this year then last. We're having a meeting next week to see what went right and what we can improve on.
A special thanks to Liz Valerio, Eddie and Vicky Carrillo, Joel Raaen, and Hashi who spent the year planning and putting together this wonderful event.
Thanks also to the many people who contributed money, time, place, prizes, vendors, musicians. Thanks to the City of Faribault for the use of Central Park and getting extra electricity. Thanks to BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation for being a part of this success. Thanks to the non-profits who rounded out the event with great information. Thanks to State Bank of Faribault and 1st United for their support. Thanks to Bob Kell for tying up loose ends and being the anchor to our great Faribault Diversity Coalition and Welcome Center.
Thanks to the Somali Community Welcome Center Soccer Team that showed up for the Soccer Tournament, sorry to say no one else showed up but they had a good time anyway and we'll work on that for next year.
And thanks to anybody I've probably have missed, there were so many people involved to make this work, and we're anxious to make next year's Market a bigger and better event for more people to enjoy.
It's times like this that make volunteering a wonderful thing to do. It builds upon your passion for what you believe. You have but one life to live and it's very short so make it the best go around you can. There's nothing like learning about and getting to know each other no matter where you're from, your background, or your philosphies. The time to live is now, if not now, when? There may not be a tomorrow so say hi and smile at one another especially strangers.
For a live and picture video go to: http://gallery.mac.com/printerguy402#100119 or click on the title. You'll need broadband to view.
Have a gentle day, Milo
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