Cambria City's Ethnic Fest returns to celebrate local heritage and community
Cambria City’s Ethnic Fest is back again this Labor Day weekend.
The Cambria City Ethnic Fest happens each year on Labor Day weekend in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. This free event aims to celebrate and pay homage to our city and its beginnings by bringing together families and friends to share in Johnstown’s rich history while engaging with the different cultures that make up our community.
“It’s an opportunity for the community members to come together and celebrate their heritage," said Melody Tisinger, Director of Operations and advancement at Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center. "It's a way for people who may have moved away to reconnect and just also get an introduction to the city and neighborhood for newcomers.”
Many of the vendors at the festival are locals. They tell us that the Ethnic Fest not only provides a chance to drum up some business, but it also gives them a chance to share in cultural traditions that have been passed down for generations.
“We make everything from scratch here, so it really comes from our heart," said Jacinda Fondelier, Owner of Ryan’s Artisan Goods, a Cambria City café. "We love to serve the community in that way, and we know that so many other local businesses down here get to showcase their business off in the same way.”
Many of the foods you see at the festival are recipes brought over by immigrants from other countries. All of which make up the diverse history of the Johnstown area.
“My grandma is no longer with us, but I take a lot of pride in carrying this on," said Fondelier. "Telling people about these recipes that are from a different culture and that they don’t know about. There is really something that comes from the heart. Getting to put that out there and present it, it chokes me up a little bit because it really means a lot to us.”
The Cambria City Ethnic Fest will run all weekend until Sunday at 8pm.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfmK6urtGimGabmanGtHnErZ%2BnoZNis6a%2F02apnqylp7u0edOoZJydnJqvs63TnmSlp5OWuW60xKugrZmXmnqiusNmmqilnaq7qsDY