To commemorate its 75th anniversary, the La Jolla Town Council is continuing plans to highlight the diversity of San Diego with an inaugural multicultural festival on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Multicultural Festival by the Sea is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center. The free event is promoted as “a day of cultural appreciation and fun” celebrating the council’s decades of community service.
Town Council President Mary Soriano said the theme came to her as she observed her surroundings.
“I noticed an increase of different cultures and food,” Soriano said. “And then I’m also very proud of the board — we have a multicultural board. … It’s a really nice time to bring everyone together.”
A variety of restaurants, local groups and performers will showcase their cultures and skills throughout the event. Included in the scheduled array of booths are ballet instruction, jiu-jitsu, aerial yoga, art and skateboarding. Food vendors from as far away as the South Bay will serve up a variety of bites and drinks.
One of the groups hosting a booth will be the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. Representative Gil Ontai said the multicultural aspect of the event interested the foundation, as the historic Davis-Horton House was built by William Heath “Kanaka” Davis Jr., a native Hawaiian.
“When Mary called and asked if we could participate, we were delighted to accept,” Ontai said. “And we’d like to showcase more about Pacific Islanders’ heritage and contributions to downtown San Diego.”
The foundation’s booth will include promotional fliers and hula performances.
This La Jolla Town Council sticker from the 1960s, courtesy of George Taylor, was placed throughout the community in the group’s early years. (Provided by Mary Soriano)
The festival has been in the works for months. Though Soriano said a gala event can foster community, her focus is on having a festive gathering anyone can attend.
“For the 75th anniversary, it’s been in the plans to try to do something really special,” Soriano said. “And it just didn’t feel right having a fancy dinner. I was really thinking more [about] community.
“It had to be something special, but something special in a way where everyone could come, too.”
Thus the group landed on having it at the Recreation Center at 615 Prospect St.
Soriano said the planning process has been “very smooth” and that some costs will be recouped with nominal booth fees or a percentage of sales, along with sponsorships.
As the event also will pay homage to the Town Council’s history, Soriano invites festival guests to share their La Jolla stories from 1950 to the present. The group also plans to showcase clippings and photos of the community and the Town Council through a projector at the Rec Center auditorium.
For vendor opportunities and other information about the festival, email info@lajollatowncouncil.org. ♦