ST. LOUIS — Festival of Nations filled Tower Grove Park on Sunday with roots from across the globe welcoming more than 100,000 people. While immigration policies spark division nationally, the celebration had a record number of immigrants and refugees.
"I just love doing business and representing my country in this city," Rachel Patrick, one of the many vendors at the multicultural festival brought her Kenyan Roots. She styles dreadlocks and creates clothes and accessories with a touch of her culture.
Patrick started coming to the festival as an attendee when she moved to St. Louis ten years ago and eventually joined the vendor line.
The International Institute of St. Louis that powers the festival, and city partners have created space for families to flourish.
"Last year I created the Office of New Americans to ensure our government is a partner to support many organizations that support immigrants and refugee families and help them build new lives in our city," announced Mayor Tishaura Jones who took the stage alongside alderpersons.
Leaders with the Institute have stressed that it is also the responsibility of the people who live next door to welcome migrant families.
"It's really special to be able to be out here in fellowship with so many different countries and to see all of the people that are just learning about so many different cultures," said Jordyn Ellston with Messy Mimosas, a Cameroonian-owned booth.
"They are doing so much for our refugees and for all the people coming over that need our help. To be able to be part of this. To be able to help our community and help St. Louis and spread that outreach is something that's really cool and we are so thankful to be a part of," said Payton Prince-Henderson with Endlessly Connected, a permanent jewelry company.
"No matter what language you speak, we want you to feel at home here in St. Louis," said Arrey Obenson, the Institute's CEO.
The International Institute has run the event since 2001 but the city has hosted similar multicultural events in the last 90 years.