By Joyce Anderson, JONAH Immigration Task Force member
You are invited to the 2026 Chippewa Valley Multicultural Festival: Sunday, September 13, from 11:30-4:30 in the pavilion area of Phoenix Park.
On this 250th anniversary of our nation, I am reminded that we have long come together to improve, enrich, inspire, and support one another in community. I think of those who came to this valley in the 1800’s… newcomers all… Irish, Norwegian, Swedish, German, English, and more. Their churches still dot our landscape, and their hard work and unique cultural traditions continue to influence our lives.
Schools and hospitals were built. Businesses and towns were established and infrastructure completed, all the while holding onto pieces of their own past stories.
After 250 years, we continue to build on those traditions. And now we can add Ukraine, Laos, Thailand, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Kenya, Madagascar, India, and many more, who were once newcomers, but who now belong here, working together side by side to improve, enrich, inspire, and support one another while holding onto their own past stories.
So come celebrate the work, the joy, of “Joining Our Neighbors Advancing Hope” as we share our uniqueness and our gift of everyone belonging here in the Chippewa Valley.
What to expect?
Food trucks. Exhibits. Vendors. Activities. The band Irie Sol will perform, as well as community members and neighbors who will showcase their cultural traditions, music, and dance from Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Thailand, Laos, Ukraine, China, and more.
Free admission, thanks to the financial support of our community members from the Eau Claire Community Foundation, Nexus, and donors.
We will also be having a 50/50 raffle on the day of the festival to help fund this and future Chippewa Valley Multicultural Festivals.
See you at the celebration!