Celebrate Diversity 2017
WARSAW — Celebrate Diversity, formerly the Warsaw Diversity Rally, returns to the community for its fourth year in 2017. The event focuses on celebrating diversity of all kinds and promoting Warsaw as a place where all people feel welcome and included. Celebrate Diversity 2017 will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 from at the Warsaw Central Park Fountain. The public is invited to attend at no cost.
“Given the current climate in our nation, we feel that this year’s event is even more important than years past,” stated Linda Francis, member of the planning committee. “We are at a pivotal point in our county’s history where the rights of several groups of individuals could be affected by legislation that takes some significant steps in the wrong direction. I think that regardless of your political viewpoints, everyone can agree that treating others fairly and with respect is important. That’s what this event is all about. You don’t have to agree with someone’s viewpoints to treat them as a fellow human being. We hope to see a diverse audience at this celebration.”
Topics and speakers at this year’s event include: Living as a Native American in 2017, Chief Buchanan of the Miami Nation of Indiana; Avoiding Stigmas Associated with Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorders, Tammy Cotton, The Rose Home; A Day in the Life of a Latina; Helping Veterans, Folks with PTSD and Special Needs Children, Tammy Stackhouse, Magical Meadows; Real Threats to Women’s Rights, April Slone, The Beaman Home; LGBT – Current Issues, Andy Semler & Warsaw Community Schools GSA; and Current Legislation that Affects Diversity and Inclusion, Brian Smith. There will also be live music by Marena Moonflower. Music and speakers will take the stage from 11 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., with a peace march around downtown Warsaw to follow from 12:40 p.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition to speakers, performers and the peace march, this year’s diversity celebration will also feature homemade cookies and bottled water for attendees to enjoy. This event is family- friendly, so children are welcome and encouraged to attend, but please leave your four-legged friends at home, as Warsaw’s City Parks do not allow pets.
Planning committee members are asking that attendees RSVP via Facebook. Interested parties can either search for “Celebrate Diversity 2017” within Facebook or visit online to register.