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Partner Event: Issaquah Welcomes You

  • Issaquah Community Center 301 Rainier Boulevard South Issaquah, WA, 98027 (map)

Hosted by the City of Issaquah, the Downtown Issaquah Association, Friends of the Issaquah Library, King County Library System and the Issaquah Highlands.

Come together for a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the cultural diversity of our community in honor of Welcoming America Week. This year’s Issaquah Welcomes You event will be led by our talented MCs Taanvi Arekapudi, a 14-year-old author of the book Uplift Teens Today: Coping Strategies for Mental Health and Sixta Morel, a bilingual voice actress and former TV host. 

Festivities include an African fashion show, music, performing arts, world dances, children focus activities, informational booths, and food trucks. Wearing traditional dress is encouraged. Everyone is welcome!

Event Details

The main feature performance will be a fashion show from local non-profit Africa Emerging who will showcase the beauty of African designs and culture.

Listen to music and performing arts:

  • DJ Enders from Enders Entertainment 

  • Sabir and Sahana Kokal, a brother sister duo from Eastside Guitar Star playing a mix of classical Indian and West African music on the piano and guitar

  • Aubrey Hansen from Eastside Guitar Star playing a mix of traditional Hawaiian, Brazilian and West African music on the guitar.

Learn and dance along with these interactive performances:

  • Navrang Dance Group – Bollywood fusion dance 

  • Siam Smile Thai Dance Group (Blue Orchid) – classical and folk Thai dance

  • Ojasvi Dance School – Indian classical, contemporary and folk dance

  • Oikatan Bengali Cultural Group – Poetry and song recital

Bring the kids for free and fun activities:

  • Free2Luv mental wellness community art project

  • Warli art drawing

  • Balloon artist

  • Face painting

  • Try musical instruments!

Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks including 

  • Mami Tran - Vietnamese

  • L’Italiano - Italian 

  • Cafecito – Mexican Bakery

  • Issaquah Ice Cream Trike

Meet city departments, community partners and non-profit organizations, including the Issaquah Alps Trails Club and many others!