Thousands Gather to Celebrate Diversity at Lockport's Unity Fest
Lockport, NY – June 1, 2024 – The Lockport City School District proudly hosted Unity Fest on Friday, May 31, 2024, as the grand finale of the year-long "We All Belong" campaign. The event aimed to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging and to celebrate the diverse cultures represented within the district. More than 2,000 people gathered to enjoy live music, student performances, and an interactive cultural experience featuring food, dress, arts, and games from around the world.
One of the highlights of Unity Fest was the Walk Around the World section which featured over 40 vendor booths cascaded around the LHS track. These tables showcased various global cultures and local subcultures. For example, Ukrainian students displayed traditional dress; guests enjoyed henna art by a Pakistani artist; My Brother’s Keeper gave (temporary) cultural tattoos; Lockport High School and Aaron Mossell Junior High students hosted a face painting booth where they painted flags from around the world on students; the Warlocks robotics team taught about STEM life and engineering culture; African-American students demonstrated hair braiding; LHS West hosted a silent disco with international music; and Niagara Pride provided information on June Pride events and local resources for residents of the LGBTQ+ community.
Olivia O’Sheehan, a sophomore at LHS, expressed her excitement: “Unity Fest was awesome! I loved sharing my ballet culture. It made me feel proud of the years of practice and hard work at the studio and I was so happy to share it with everyone who stopped by my booth.”
At Unity Fest, attendees were treated to a vibrant array of live music and student performances. Lockport students showcased their talents through singing, dancing, and reciting poetry, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the school district. Professional bands such as The Polka Boyz, Family FUNKtion and the Sitar Jams, Comienzos, Emerald Isle, and Uptown Groove kept the crowd dancing for hours.
In addition to the arts, the event also featured an exciting lineup of activities, including a kickball tournament, where 70 LHS students signed up to compete for the championship title. At the end of the night, “The KickBallerz” team earned first place.
Younger students had the opportunity to participate in a kindergarten football clinic led by Coach Trait Smith and the LHS Varsity football team. Following the kindergartener’s game, LHS also hosted a co-ed flag football game which excited the crowd that filled the stadium seating.
Nora Bruning, a grandparent of a first grader at George Southard, commented: “As a grandparent, it was wonderful to see my grandson so engaged and enthusiastic about learning different cultures. I was also able to meet some of his friends from his class and their parents– the event brought everyone together. It was so special to get an inside look at the wonderful things the Lockport City School District is teaching our children.”
One of the most heartwarming moments of the evening was the Kindness Parade, where over 100 students from all eight Lockport schools displayed chains of random acts of kindness. Students lined the entire Varsity soccer field with chain links inscribed with random acts of kindness. This display showcased the thousands of kind acts exchanged by students throughout the year, highlighting the community's spirit of compassion and the district’s commitment to Rachel’s Challenge, an anti-bullying program.
Dr. Mathis Calvin, III, Superintendent of Lockport City School District, shared his enthusiasm: “Unity Fest truly embodied our ‘We All Belong’ campaign. Seeing our students and community come together to celebrate our diverse cultures was heartwarming and inspiring. This event is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and unity.”
Cultural food tastings were a highlight of the evening, featuring an eclectic mix of cuisines from around the world. Visitors enjoyed dishes from Dr. Bird's Rasta-rant (Jamaican), Zoe's (Greek), Chester's (Cajun), Aprieta Monster Food Truck (Puerto Rican), Molinaro's (Italian), Pierogi Pete's (Polish), KP Smokehouse (Southern), and Terroir General Store, which provided Indian Chai Masala. In addition to these tastings, a variety of food trucks, including Maria Bene Cibo (Italian), Baby Ribs (Southern), The Roast Beast (American), and KCafe (Korean), kept the crowds well-fed and eager to sample the global flavors.
Amanda Haner, a parent within the district shared that her young boys “We enjoyed everything but our favorite parts were the food tastings, the rock painting, and the dunk tank– they had never seen one before!”
Unity Fest marks a significant milestone in Lockport City School District’s ongoing efforts to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for diversity among its students and community. The success of this event sets a strong foundation for future initiatives to continue building an inclusive and unified school environment.
Heather McClain, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion added: “Both our students and staff worked incredibly hard to make Unity Fest a success. It was amazing to see the creativity and dedication they put into showcasing their cultures. I am so proud that we had representatives from every single school. This event will be remembered for years to come.”