As two salsa dancers twirled in the middle of the Lake Charles Civic Center’s Contraband Room on Saturday morning, a large group of people began filming the performance with their cellphones. A pair of kids in the audience stood up on their chairs and tried to mimic the moves of the professionals. It was just one of many unique moments during Saturday’s Culture Fest.

Hortensia del Castillo Vincent helped organize the Casa Latina section of the event, and as people passed through the Contraband Room, she talked about how proud she was of the festival’s growth.

“This is just amazing. Seeing so many people from so many different backgrounds come to learn and to have a good time here is wonderful,” Vincent said. “What we’re trying to do is raise awareness about all of the cultures that make up Southwest Louisiana.”

Culture Fest has been around for a few years now and in that time, Vincent said, the cultural representation at the event has grown. She said the work is done by volunteers who share her passion of showing people just how diverse the Lake Area is.

As Vincent talked with visitors, 7-year-old Kenadie Cypher was getting her face painted at a booth nearby. A pair of intricately drawn butterfly wings were being traced along the sides of her face. Cypher was also helping, in her own way, make sure the event went smoothly. After the wings were completed, she jumped up from her chair and took her place next to Vincent at one of the tables lining the wall.

“I wanted to get this done earlier,” she said as she pointed to her face. “I’m glad I did.”

Outside the Contraband Room, the second floor of the Civic Center was filled with food simmering on tables, musicians playing to captivated audiences and families taking pictures of memorable moments. At a table adorned with items representing India, Angie Sivori and husband Bill were taking in the sights. The Sivoris said they were new to the Lake Area and that Saturday’s was their first local festival.

“We’re newcomers to the area so we just wanted to try to come out and get involved in the community,” Angie said. “It’s a lot of fun so far.”

On the first floor of the Civic Center was the Arts Fest. A lot like the Culture Fest, the Arts Fest featured music and countless unique activity booths. The difference was in the first floor’s crowd — with dozens of kids covered in paint, clay and Halloween costumes.

Kids were able to create art projects that included painting a mural of iconic monuments, using a computer to create an image on the front of one of Easter Island’s famous statues, as well getting to use a pottery wheel to make small cups and bowls.

Melissa Navarre was watching as Jazmine Winford, 11, and Jada Navarre, 8, took their turns at the pottery wheel. The group had driven in from Iowa to participate in the festival.

“We come to this event every year,” Melissa said. “This was the first time the line was short for this pottery booth, so they really wanted to try it. This is good for them because it can take their minds into something creative and they love it.”

As the two young ladies finished their work at the pottery wheel, Jazmine said it was fun. Jada described it as being “pretty easy.”

Across the room at a coloring booth, Britni Haynie was helping her two daughters stay between the lines. It appeared to be an easy task for her as Brielle Haynie, 5, and Hollis Broussard, 3. Both seemed to have a knack for the arts.

“These types of events are important for kids. It helps them creatively, and they can get involved in something that’s different for them. It’s really unique,” Britni said.

Brielle and Hollis were both dressed in their Halloween costumes — Spanish Flamenco dancers, their mom said. She said it was a chance for the girls to take them on a test run before Halloween.

Denise Fasske, a board member for the Arts and Humanities Council, was working the door at the Arts Fest, greeting visitors as they arrived. She said that over the years, the crowd has grown as local parents realize the importance of getting children involved in the arts.

“Everything about this event is so engaging, that it becomes the perfect event for children curious about art,” Fasske said. “It’s very important to see parents here getting their kids engaged with unique projects because it can show them just how artistic they are, whether they knew it before or not.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman