Friday, June 20, 2008

Maine Celebrates World Refugee Day

Civic and nonprofit groups and sponsors from Lewiston are hosting this festive event to celebrate World Refugee day on Friday, June 20, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Participants will welcome, honor, and showcase the talents and accomplishments of our new Mainers. Admission is free, and all food and entertainment will also be free, in the spirit of a community celebration. Kickoff at the Lewiston Public Library at 3:00pm with a performance by a local dance troop, followed by refugees telling their stories of fleeing war, resettlement in Maine , and achievement of personal success through education. Keynote speaker is Khadra Jama, a junior at University of Southern Maine at Lewiston-Auburn. Following the presentation the celebration will move to the Kennedy (Lewiston City) Park. Sponsors include, The State of Maine Office of Multicultural Affairs, The City of Lewiston, The City of Portland, The Catholic Charities Maine, The Bayside Neighborhood Association, The Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, The St Mary's Regional Medical Center, 2-2-2 Maine, Minority Health Program, Department of Health and Human Services, NAACP, Walmart Supercenter, Multilingual and Multicultural Center, Portland Public Schools, United Somali Women of Maine, New Americans Sustainable Agriculture Project, Sudanese Development Institute of Maine, University of Southern Maine, STTAR Refugee Services, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Lewiston-Auburn Neighborhood Network, Language Access for New Americans, African Immigrants Association, Living with Peace, Thrive, Sunshine Interpreters, Barwaqo Halal Market, Mogadishu Store, Heather Denkmire. For more information, please contact Sue Charron at (207) 513-3130 ext 3260 or scharron@ci.lewiston.me.us

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Bayside World Market and Fair
11:00am-7:00pm Saturday, June 21st  presented by Bayside Neighborhood Association  at Portland High School 284 Cumberland Ave, free admission, display or sell  arts and crafts, serve ethnic foods, showcase your organization, sell flea market goods, offer services or participate.  Table Rental fee $30
Reserve tables online at www.baysideworldmarketandfair.com  Performers, please contact Pirun Sen at senp@portlandschools.org