ONTARIO – Four Rivers Cultural Center is holding a birthday party Friday, Sept. 23.
A big one.
The birthday bash event kicks off at 5 p.m. and goes to 9 p.m. at 676 S.W. 5th Ave. The event is free.
Organizers are expecting a big crowd and there will be something for everyone, said Tanya Navarrete, marketing and development director at Four Rivers Cultural Center.
“We have packed the schedule with so many activities,” said Navarrete.
The center opened in May 1997. It features a regional museum, performance theater and meeting rooms that now play host to some of Malheur County’s most significant events.
The public party “is really just to celebrate the cultural center but, more importantly, to celebrate the cultures that made our area happen,” said Navarrete.
She said the opening ceremony will include a host of speakers representing a variety of cultures.
“We will have representatives from the Basques, the Northern Paiutes, Mexican-American, Japanese, and Europeans. We’ve also included some of the newer cultures in the area, including refugees,” said Navarrete.
Once the opening ceremonies conclude, she said, there will be a cake cutting and the party will begin. The activities include performances by Japanese artists, a Mexican ballet, jazz artists, a pianist, stories from Paiute tribal elders – all on four stages active at the same time.
There will also be plenty of fun things for kids, said Navarrete. There will be a bounce house, a balloon man, yard games in the Hikaru Mizu Japanese Garden and a photo booth for families.
“We will also have community vendors,” said Navarrete.
Those vendors will include the Boys & Girls Club of Western Treasure Valley, the Drexel Foundation, Treasure Valley Community College and the Ontario Community Library.
Tours of the museum will also be offered during the birthday event.
“As far as food we will have free ice cream, free popcorn and free cotton candy,” said Navarrete.
Those who attend the event can also take part in a raffle.
“We are also hosting food and cake stations,” said Navarrete.
At every food station, said Navarrete, there will be a food sample from a different culture.
“So, one station will be focused on Japanese bites, the other will be Basque bites or Mexican bites,” said Navarrete.
There will also be a beer garden in the Japanese garden, said Navarrete.
“It is just a big birthday party for our community. It’s a really big deal and we are excited. What we want to do is invite all of the friends of the cultural center to come in and enjoy an evening here to show our appreciation,” said Navarrete.
For more information contact Four Rivers Cultural Center at 541-889-8191.
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