Poet Laureate, Elizabeth Woody to speak at Festival of Cultures

The Latino Community Association (LCA) announces a very special guest keynote speaker scheduled to share at the 10th Annual Festival of Cultures presented by US Cellular and the Deschutes Cultural Coalition on September 24 at Redmond’s Centennial Park.

Oregon Poet Laureate, Elizabeth Woody, will speak as part of the Citizenship Oath Ceremony conducted by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which has opened the Festival of Cultures each year since 2010. USCIS expects 25 people from roughly 15 countries to take their oaths this year.

Elizabeth A. Woody is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon of Yakima Nation descent. She received the American Book Award in 1990 and the William Stafford Memorial Award for Poetry and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Awards in 1995. Elizabeth has published three books of poetry. She also writes short fiction, essays, and is a visual artist.

In addition to Elizabeth’s keynote, the Festival of Cultures will include local dance troupes, singers and musicians, eclectic food vendors, service and product vendors, a fantastic Kid’s Area, and the Passport Challenge game with prizes. Plus local Latin music legends, Chiringa, and Miguel de Alonso and The Nomads will play live from 2-4pm.

For more information about the Festival of Cultures, visit www.festivalofcultures.info, or contact the Latino Community Association at 382-4366 or info@latinocommunityassociation.org  You can also interact with us on Facebook at/FestivalOfCultures.

About Latino Community Association

For the past 16 years, the Latino Community Association (LCA) has been empowering Latino families and children and building bridges across cultures to create a more resilient Central Oregon. In partnership with caring and generous individuals, businesses, community organizations and public agencies, LCA is committed to empowering our Latino families to thrive.  Their programs, which impact nearly 7,000 people every year, include: Workforce Education & Training, Family Empowerment, Healthy Families, and Cultural Enrichment. LCA also provides translation services and diversity training. For more information or to join LCA, visit www.latinocommunityassociation.org or call 541.382.4366

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