Food drive to be major attraction at Ethnic Fair

Clovis will soon see 25 years’ worth of cultural celebration, as plans are well under way for the Ethnic Fair.

The Clovis Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Committee held its regular meeting Tuesday at the Clovis-Carver Public Library to discuss the 25th annual event set for July 23 at Hillcrest Park.

“It says a lot about a committee to have lasted that long,” Committee Chairman and Event Coordinator Selmus Price said during the meeting.

The Ethnic Fair is sponsored by local businesses, veterans organizations and the New Mexico Humanities Council.

This year’s festivities include a 5K Fun/Run Walk, the 21st annual car show, arts and crafts, a health care fair and more.

Price said one of the main attractions will be the food drive held by the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, in which volunteers may donate canned goods and non-perishable items for chances to win prizes.

Leading up to the Ethnic Fair will be the 18th annual cultural workshops at the Roy Walker Recreation Center, which begin Monday and continue through July 21.

In the workshops, participants ages 9 and older will practice batik and tie-dye techniques and learn a dance from the Agalu “Spirit of Drums and Dance” Cultural Troupe of Nigeria.

The cost is $5 for four sessions per workshop.

“Entries for that are a little bit slow coming in,” Price said, “but a lot of them sign up on site. I’ve spoken to some youth and their parents who participated last year and will be back this year.”

In other business at the meeting:

• There are three food-vendor entries for the fair thus far.

“All the ones that we had last year were sent the entry forms,” Price said. “I’m in hopes that we get more of a response this week.”

• There are currently three contributors for the 21st annual car show, but Price said he expects “a lot of them to sign up on site.” The event, also taking place at Hillcrest Park, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the Ethnic Fair.

• The afternoon entertainment will include the usual performers, Price said, including the Agalu “Spirit of Drums and Dance” Cultural Troupe of Nigeria, Flamenco Nuevo Mejico Dance Company, Bushido Kenyukai Taiko, Fusion World Dance Performance Group and Cannon Na Wahine.

• Volunteers from Cannon Air Force Base are expected to take part in the Ethnic Fair.

“This gives them an opportunity for them to see that we do have some culture activities,” Price said, “in hopes that it’ll probably encourage more of them to participate.”

• The next and final meeting before the Ethnic Fair is slated for July 19.