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Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27: 2014 Lakewood Sister Cities International Festival and ArtsFest Celebration

Pierce College

Alan Archambault's "History of U.S. Army in WA" will be on display during ArtsFest April 25-27 at Pierce College in Lakewood.

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Each year, the Lakewood Sister Cities Association holds a three-day festival highlighting the culture of one of its sister cities. This year, the organization is proud to bring the rich culture of Okinawa, Japan to the area with its 2014 International Festival and ArtsFest Celebration.

The festival runs April 25 to 27 and will be held in the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Campus Cascade Building. Admission is free, and organizers welcome you to join in and learn about the various sister cities of Lakewood.

"The Lakewood Sister Cities Association works year round to promote international harmony," said Connie Coleman-Lacadie, LSCA president. "This festival gives us the opportunity to share our important work with the rest of our community, and we're very excited to do so."

Opening night, April 25, features ArtsFest, with a showcase of student and veteran artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a reception following the exhibition and an opportunity to meet the artists in person. The Clover Park High School entertainers will provide entertainment.

Saturday, April 26, members of the Miyagi-Ryu Minoruno Kai-Megumi Matsuda Dance Institute of Okinawa City, Japan will perform from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  

The festival concludes Sunday, April 27, and has a fun-filled lineup planned. Entertainment for the day will include the Shahdaroba Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, a belly dancing group that has performed for audiences in the Pacific Northwest since the 1980s. Sunday's entertainment will also include the Chang Hee Suk Woman Drummers and the Lakewood Playhouse Performers.

Families are invited to come and take part in the fun and excitement of this year's Sister Cities International Festival and ArtsFest celebration throughout the weekend as Lakewood celebrates its cultural diversity along with the fascinating culture of Okinawa City, Japan.

The festival is kid-friendly and will feature face painting and a chance to learn origami. You can even learn how to write using Japanese calligraphy. There will also be a public market that will feature a wide variety of ethnic foods as well as homemade crafts.

The art exhibits, food, crafts and Kids' Corner will be available all three days. Parking and admission are free.

For more information, visit www.LSCA.us.

LAKEWOOD SISTER CITIES FESTIVAL, April 25 to 27, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Campus, Cascade Building, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood, free admission

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