World of Nations Celebration facts for kids
The World of Nations Celebration is a super fun festival held every year in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. It's the biggest festival in North Florida that celebrates different cultures! Imagine a place where you can explore many countries all in one spot. Since 1993, this amazing event has taken place at Metropolitan Park.
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What is the World of Nations Celebration?
This celebration is all about showing off the many different people and cultures living in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. It's a chance for everyone to learn about traditions from around the world. Over 75,000 people visit each year. This includes about 12,000 kids who come on school trips!
What Happens at the Celebration?
Each "country" at the festival has its own special area. You'll see their flag proudly displayed. There's always someone who can speak the country's official language. And guess what? You can try delicious food that comes from that nation!
Many countries also share their traditional music. You might see amazing dance performances. Some people even tell stories from their culture. You can also see beautiful artwork and traditional clothing from different nations.
A Special Ceremony
On Saturday morning, a very special event happens at 10:00 AM. It's called a naturalization ceremony. This is where people from other countries officially become citizens of the United States. Up to 50 people take their oath at the festival!
Fun for Kids!
The celebration also has a special area just for younger visitors. It's called the "World of Kids Playland." Here, children can do fun arts and crafts. There are also other cool programs designed just for them.
Countries You Might See
The countries that join the celebration can change each year. But many different nations have been part of the fun in the past. Here are some examples of countries that have been represented:
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- The Caribbean islands
- China
- Colombia
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Cuba
- The Dominican Republic
- Ethiopia
- The French Caribbean
- Ghana
- Haiti
- India
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Mexico
- Native America (representing Indigenous cultures of the U.S.)
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- The Philippines
- Poland
- Puerto Rico
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- The United States
- Turkey
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Staying Safe at the Festival
In 2021, special steps were taken to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included things like wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from others.
