By Mike Wood

While murky weather lingered outdoors on Oct. 14, the sun seemed to shine inside the Event Center.

That kind of special effect seems to happen with the Diversity Festival, which again worked its magic during its fifth annual edition.

Part of the reason the festival continues to be one of Rossmoor’s most popular annual events is that the Diversity Festival committee adds new elements each year.

This time, its popular fashion parade was moved to the start of the festival and was reimagined to incorporate art of the various cultural and ethnic clubs being represented. Those were African Americans and Friends, the Chinese Performing Arts Club (CPAC), Filipino America Association of Rossmoor (FAAR), German Club Stammtisch, Hawaii State Club and Korean American Club (KAR).

One of the new flourishes was demonstrated by KAR members, who showed the audience the vivid, elaborate, time-honored ceremonies of a traditional Korean wedding. The array of colors, clothing and performances are big draws for festivalgoers.“ I love the traditional costumes,” said Robert Hollis, among the residents making a repeat visit to the festival. “The color, the design; things you’d never see in American fashion.”

The day was interspersed with presentations by FAAR, the India Club, Irish American Culture Club, Hawaii State Club, Rossmoor LGBTQ+ Alliance, Chinese American Association of Rossmoor (CAAR), Entre Amigos, KAR and African Americans and Friends.

The LGBTQ+ Alliance segment featured a presentation by Kristen Lee, a recently retired middle school librarian, on what it means to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

Theresa Kim was impressed by that presentation as she watched from the KAR display table, one of 10 ethnic or cultural club tables set up along the Event Center walls.

“That made people, I think, more open to understanding each other,” Kim said. “That was excellent.”

Once again, the festival was sponsored by Rossmoor Advocates for Diversity, the Diversity Consciousness Committee of the Interfaith Council of Rossmoor and RWC Recreation.

Recreation Manager Zee Deleon said the event’s success is a testament to the residents on the festival committee and the clubs and organizations involved. His role is mainly bringing their ideas to life.

“It takes a village, and the community is here to really help with that,” Deleon said. “Rossmoor is a very unique and close-knit community.”

The rain that pelted Rossmoor the day before let up for the festival, something that wasn’t the case when it debuted in 2021. That first edition was planned primarily outdoors in Peacock Plaza when the COVID pandemic still loomed large, but it had to be moved inside to the Fireside Room and Peacock Hall because of weather.

“It was pouring rain, it was wet, and it was packed,” recalled Susan Baskin, who on this day was at the RAD table with Naomi Karlin, greeting residents in the Event Center lobby. “People were so thrilled to celebrate diversity, to come together as a community after being isolated. … That was its beginning. And now we’re in the big time. We’re in the Event Center!”

At a time when political or religious differences seem an insurmountable divide, the understanding that’s nurtured by events like the Diversity Festival can be helpful, Joe Easley of the event’s planning committee said. Easley went with his wife, Patti, to the first festival, joined RAD, and has been involved with the Diversity Festival ever since.

“We can recognize that we think different, or we have a different background, or we have a different faith,” Easley said. “That’s OK. But we can also respect somebody who comes from a different background, a different political opinion, a different faith or no faith. And we can actually learn from that.”

While positive vibes flowed throughout that day, it’s important to remember that there is work involved in fostering diversity.

“Embracing diversity is not always easy,” said Kate San Jose of FAAR during her opening remarks. “It requires an open mind, willingness to listen and the courage to step out of our comfort zones, even when those conversations are challenging at times. Having the annual Diversity Festival is a great reminder of how important it is to have the opportunity to share our cultures with one another.”