WelcomeFest

Description

Let’s celebrate our cultural diversity and build a nation of neighbors!
WelcomeFest is a FREE EVENT with music and dance performances, an interactive UNITY art project, kindness rocks, free tours of Connecticut’s oldest house and archaeology exhibit, and more. The Henry Whitfield State Museum is open to everyone and building a community that values all perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.

ALL AFTERNOON:

• Interactive UNITY art project | All ages are invited to add their touch to this public art installation in front of the Whitfield House! UNITY is a large circular arrangement of poles, each labeled with an identifier (for example: “I am a parent,” “I have Asian ancestors,” or “I love winter”). You will take a piece of yarn and wrap it around any poles with which you identify. A canopy of interconnectedness forms as more people participate. In the end, this project celebrates the uniqueness of individuals while at the same time illustrating how we are all connected by something. UNITY will remain on display in front of the Whitfield House throughout the following week and the Guilford Fair. All supplies provided.
• Kindness Rocks | All ages are invited to paint kindness rocks for keeping, sharing with someone who needs some inspiration, or leaving somewhere to brighten the finder’s day. All supplies provided.
• Free Tours | The Whitfield House (Connecticut’s oldest house!) and the “History Beneath Our Feet” archaeology exhibit in the Visitor Center will be open for self-guided tours.
• Guilford’s History Museums | The Hyland House Museum, Thomas Griswold House Museum, Medad Stone Tavern Museum, and Dudley Farm Museum will be on-site to share the work they do to create welcoming communities for the benefit of all residents.

• 2:30 pm – Flamenco guitar music, song, and dance featuring Val Ramos, Tere Luna, and Yohanna Escamilla | Flamenco is a sophisticated, colorful, and complex music and dance culture with roots in the southern part of Spain known as Andalusia. It has evolved to integrate a variety of new music and dance elements, influences, and instrumentation.
• 3:15 pm – Mexican folk dancing and singing by Tere Luna accompanied by guitarist Val Ramos | This vibrant expression of the country's rich cultural heritage weaves together history, ritual, and storytelling and is often part of festivals, ceremonies, and national holidays.