Weston World Fest A One-of-a-Kind Event of World Cultures on Display

COMMUNITY NEWS Weston World Fest

A One-of-a-Kind Event of World Cultures on Display

Seven years ago, new Arts Council of Greater Weston Board member, Carol Lema, accompanied by then president Jami Nix Rahn, went to the City of Weston with a proposal for a new event, based on Lema’s years of living abroad in South America and Europe. It would highlight Weston’s rich cultural diversity through country booths, international cuisine and entertainment. Both the City and the Arts Council Board enthusiastically backed the idea. That was the beginning of Weston World Fest. Five years later, the award-winning event would grow to bring more than 2,500 attendees in 2020. It was the last large-scale program held in Weston before the pandemic changed the landscape.

As Event Director and Founder Lema was mulling over how to have the event safely, a country booth coordinator emailed her saying, “My group is ready. What’s this year’s theme, and what are we doing?” And that was the beginning of the Weston World Fest 2021 Drive-Thru. Lema says, “I was moved by the enthusiasm of this year’s country booth directors. We knew it would be a challenge to reinvent the Fest for health protocols, but the love and effort they put into creating these booths for the community to enjoy was really remarkable. They truly are the heart of this event.”

The event encouraged attendees to decorate their own vehicles illustrating the country of their family’s heritage before they drove thru the event route. They experienced the “Music of the World” at 16 different booths with elaborate displays, all waving their country’s flag. Fernanda Scatassa, who manned the parking lot where the cars were decorated, says, “I was overwhelmed by the joy of everyone at the parking lot preparing their cars with such pride and enthusiasm. It felt like they were celebrating their heritage as well as the Weston Community itself.”

Mayor Margaret Brown expressed the City’s appreciation. “Being at the Weston World Fest with my fellow Commissioners, watching and waving to the hundreds of families drive through in what can only be called a one-of-akind event of world cultures on display. Everyone had smiles from ear-to-ear and captured the magnificent costumes, music, and dancing on video to share. It was just magical. Another Arts Council reimagined first in the COVID era. All we can say is Bravo.”

ACGW’s graffiti wall was hand-painted by student artists Camila Macias, Valeria Parra, and Viviana Alverez and served as the backdrop for a photo shoot as the cars passed by on their way out. The Weston Music society provided live music from Cypress Bay students and the Weston Art guild advertised their juried art show at the Weston Branch Library. Student volunteers helped set up and man the event, while volunteers from the Okapi Wanderer’s Rugby team helped direct attendees into the event.

ACGW President Laura Dobrzanski shared her reaction to the day, “It was fantastic to have almost 200 cars complete the route. Traffic remained steady which kept the flow very exciting and meaningful for all involved. With the help of many dedicated volunteers and their terrifically innovative ideas we were delighted to present this event in partnership with the City and delighted that the community clearly appreciated this event.”

City of Weston Special Events Manager Annalisa Walker shared, “What a wonderful opportunity to showcase Weston’s culturally diverse community under beautiful blue skies. I can tell you from directing traffic at the front as vehicles entered and exited the tent loop, people were smiling and very thankful for yet another opportunity for community engagement in a safe environment with beautiful weather. Kudos to all who were involved at every level.”