Multicultural Faire Saturday at Lakes Magnet Middle School

It's the time of year again when Lakes Magnet Middle School in Coeur d'Alene provides kids with a "rich and varied" cultural experience.

The seventh annual Multicultural Faire is a free, educational and entertaining event featuring live music, dancing, food and art representing different parts of the world.

"The purpose of the faire is to continue to build our community through networking, learning about and celebrating our various cultural backgrounds and talents," said Kristin Odenthal, sixth-grade teacher at LMMS. "Coming together and deepening our understanding of and respect for our cultural differences and similarities helps create more of a connected and accepting community."

Performances this year will feature the Celtic band Deep Roots, the Coeur d'Alene Youth Marimabas, Sorensen juggling and drummer performance teams, the Woodland dance team, Coeur d'Alene Tribe dancers and guitarist Thomas Staples. Singers include Spanish folk singer Gary Edwards, folk singers Shelley Phillips and Holly Raymond, the Lakes Show Choir and big-band singer John Matthews.

The Sons of Norway will be at the faire with two Fjord horses, also celebrating "waffle day" by making mini-waffles. Some of the other food available for purchase will be enchiladas from Casa de Maria's and Coeur de Breizh French crepes. There will also be activities for kids and families to learn more about their heritage. Visitors can make heritage bracelets, ancestry trees, bookmarks and learn to write their names in Japanese and Chinese characters.

The Multicultural Faire runs from 10 a.m. Saturday until about 2 p.m. in the gym at Lakes Magnet Middle School, located at 930 N. 15th St. in Coeur d'Alene.