-The following program is a West Tennessee PBS special presentation made possible through the generous financial support of viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org, and make a donation .. so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you -Intricate costumes, beautiful performances, and delicious food.

West Tennessee PBS welcomes you to the 10th annual Jackson International Food and Art Festival.

[music] -For the second consecutive year, We.. our viewers all the sites, sounds and festivities of one of Jackson's most popular events.

The Jackson International Food and Arts Festival's mission is to spread cultural awareness, promote cross-cultural engagement, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of residents throughout West Tennessee.

For the next hour, West Tennessee PBS will showcase this wonderful event for everyone to experience this 10th Jackson International Food and Arts Festival.

Festival organizers hope the event reminds us all t.. in appearance, how we worship, and where we come from, there is far more that unites us than divides us.

West Tennessee PBS is proud to present the 2024 Jackson International Food and Arts Festival.

-Hello, I am Peter Noll, general manager and CEO of WLJT Channel 11.

It is my pleasure to help kick things off for this year's international festival.

Coming to you from the Jackson Fairgrounds, the opening ceremonies are about to begin.

Let's listen in.

[music] -Good morning.

Welcome you all here today.

What a great day it is to celebrate cultural div.. in Jackson, Tennessee.

Before we begin, I want to give a special thanks to our city employees, our groundskeepers, our stormwater crew, our street department.

The fair was last week had five inches of rain, and they worked all week long to make sure we could have this festival here today, so let's give them a big round of applause and appreciati.. [applause] -I'm going to let Mayor Massey read the proclamation and then we'll continue on.

-Thank you so much Mayor Conger, welcome in.

This is the best-smelling place in Jackson, Tennessee today.

The food and the art and the festivities are always a joy to be a part .. and I want to say welcome in.

I want to say thank you to Mayor Conger, and the city.. for hosting this every year and keeping this event as unique and as special as it is.

I have a proclamation to read.

It says, "Whereas Jackson and Madison County has become home to many diverse cultures and ethnic groups, and whereas all cultures and groups provide an invaluable contribution to our community through their investments in local businesses, industries, the medical field, and education.

Whereas 10 years ago, the Jackson International Food and Art Festival was instituted, so Jackson's foreign-born citizens could showcase their history, art, culture to their fellow Jacksonians.

Whereas with a mission of celebrating cultural unity, the Jackson International Food and Arts Festival's purpose is to spread cultural awareness, promote cross-cultural engagement, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of residents throughout West Tennessee.

Whereas this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Jackson International Food and Art Festival highlighting a decade of fostering community cohesion and enriching our collective cultural experience.

Whereas we recognize and commend the Jackson International Food and Art Festival for its decade-long commitment to enhancing cultural awareness and promoting peace as we celebrate, and we celebrate the collective contributions of our diverse communities in advancing unity within Jackson and Madison County.

Now therefore, we Scott Conger, Mayor of the city of Jackson, Tennessee, and AJ Massey, Mayor of Madison County, Tennessee do hereby proclaim Saturday, September 21st, 2024 as Jackson International Food and Art Festival Day."

-You've heard of the proclamation, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our International Food and Art Festival here in Jackson, Tennessee.

That's an amazing feat, and it gets bigger every year and better every year.

It wouldn't have happened without the collective work of Eduardo and Dr. Sandra Dee.

Dr. Sandra Dee's been a driving force.

Today, you, come up here, Dr. Dee, we want to make sure that you can get into the fairgrounds when you need to, for the festival to get into city hall, for pop-up shops and things like that to recognize our cultural diversity.

On behalf of the city of Jackson, I want to honor you with a key to the city of Jackson.

[applause] -Hello.

Good afternoon everyone.

[Filipino language] Jackson.

Thank you all of you for coming today.

This is a very special day as well as a very special year.

It is a special day because today actually coincides with the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated by the United Nations all over the world.

Of course, it's a special year, because we're celebrating a decade of celebrating unity, and bringing people together in this beautiful city of Jackson as well as West Tennessee.

If I may add, this is also a special year in the Asian communi..

I am Filipino-Chinese, and I think most of you will agree if you're Asian around here that this is the year of the dragon.

That's why you saw the dragon is here.

The lions are here, because in the Asian culture that means it's lucky and prosperous year.

We're celebrating a milestone this year, 10 years of unity, and it's hard to believe that we've done this since 2014.

-Make friends, tell us how many friends you make today.

Okay?

This is the day to make friends here.

We are all the same family.

Thank you, Jackson.

-Thank you.

[applause] -Now it's time for everyone's favorite part of the International Festival, the Parade of Cultures where people from different countries that now call Jackson home present their country's flag to Mayor Conger and Mayor Massey.

Let's watch.

-Now, ladies and gentlemen, our festival cha.. Eduardo Morales, Vinay Sood, welcome to Jackson.

This ladies and gentlemen, the ROTC from Liberty Technology Magnet High School.

[music] -Welcome to our parade today, the Mayor of Madison County, AJ Massey and the Mayor of the city of Jackson, Mayor of Scott Conger.

[music] -Lee's Golden Lions and Dragons.

[music] -Many of you saw them perform earlier today.

We're welcome from Houston, Texas to Jackson, Tennessee.

[music] -The Rotary Clubs of Jackson, Tennessee.

Jackson Rotary Club, the Old Hickory Rotary Club, and the International Display of Flags.

[music] -This flag display is used all over the state of Tennessee Special events, all thanks to the Rotary Clubs representing Rotary International for being part of this festival today.

Coming up our West Tennessee PBS Mascot Daniel Tiger.

WLJT Channel 11.

-Ooh.

Daniel.

[music] -It's all about home.

[music] -Lets here for Daniel Tiger leading the Parade of Cult.. the melting pot with many different nations represented.

The Aborigines are the original inhabitants.

It is the sixth largest country in the world, and the largest country by the area in Oceania, Australia.

[music] -Coming up next Canada, a country in North America, 10 provinces and 3 territories extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Our representative of Canada.

It's the world's second-largest country by total area, the world's longest coastline.

Welcome our representatives from Canada.

[music] -Ecuador is a country in South America named after the equator.

The countries in the southern hemisphere, part of the country's in the southern hemisphere.

It's roughly the size of Colorado bordered by Columbia and Peru.

The Galápagos Islands belong to Ecuador and are located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles from the mainland.

If you will, the representatives from Ecuador.

-Ethiopia is next.

Africa's oldest country, and was never colonized by Europeans.

It is also considered the birthplace of humanity based on fossil evidence.

Ethiopia.

[music] -Guatemala.

Guatemala is a country of many customs and traditio.. [music] -This country located in Central America has lakes, mountains, volcanoes, all gigantic standards.

Traditional Guatemalan food, the knowledge of different food cultures, and their national traditions are part of this country.

We welcome the representatives from Guatemala.

[applause] -Our next representative is Mark [?]

Hi.

From Haiti, a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea.

It is estimated population of 11.4 million.

The capital city and largest city is Port-au-Prince.

Haiti was the first independent state in the Caribbean and the second Republic in the Americas.

Haiti.

-Up next, ladies and gentlemen, we welcome Honduras.

Located on the Caribbean Coast, Honduras is the second largest country in Central America, also home to over 6,000 plant species and a range of natural wonders.

It demonstrates a largely mountainous landscape.

Honduran culture stems from meaningful tradition, legend, and history, all of which have produced unique contributions in music, cuisine, and art.

The representatives from Honduras.

-Our next country is India, the world's seventh-largest country by area, and the world's biggest democracy.

It's one of the world's most ancient civilizations with documented history going back over 5,000 years.

India has never invaded another country.

It's a republic consisting of 29 states and 7 union territories.

It has 22 major languages and over 720 dialects.

India is the largest English-speaking population of any country in the world, with the third largest pool of doctors, engineers, and scientists.

The game of chess was invented in India, as was algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

When Indians meet someone, they greet others by folding hands in humility before each other because Indians believe that God resides in the heart of every human, and nobody is above or beneath one another.

The country of India.

[cheers] -Next is Italy.

Italy is a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline.

It's left a powerful mark on Western culture.

Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins and other major cities, including Florence.

Renaissance masterpieces, such as Michelangelo's David and all are exhibited in Italy.

Japan.

[cheers] -Japan is an East Asian Island nation known for the mix of traditional culture and modern technology.

Famous for its cherry blossoms, sushi, and Samurai history, Japan also boasts bustling cities like Tokyo, efficient bullet trains, and unique attractions like cat cafés and vending machines.

The country of Japan.

-Next, we welcome the representatives from Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It's the most populous country in Africa, the world's sixth most populous country, with over 230 million inhabitants.

Official language, English, with their over 525 indigenous language spoken across this territory as well.

Habitation in this area dates back to 9000 BC according to evidence that's being examined today.

If you will, the representatives from Nigeria.

[cheers] -Our next country, the Philippines, known as the Pearl of the Orient.

Made up of more than 7,000 islands, categorized in three main geographical divisions, the tropical country is a land of beautiful white sand beaches and abundant biodiversity.

Home to more than 119 million Filipinos who are warm, friendly, flexible, industrious, with a good sense of humor, and family-oriented.

We can find Filipinos in almost all countries working as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, architects, engineers, and many more.

Also represented is the Philippine Nurses Association of Tennessee, a nonprofit professional organization.

The organization's mission and objectives is for Filipino-American nurses in Tennessee and the USA.

The organization aims to unite Filipino-American nurses and support them professionally and culturally, emphasizing the development of nursing leadership, practice, education, and research programs.

The country of the Philippines.

[cheers] -Coming next, Puerto Rico.

Caribbean Island, a Commonwealth of the United States with a rich history and culture.

3.2 million people populate the island, known for many things.

Its tropical climate, the beaches, the rainforest, the music, the food.

If you like Pina Colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented right there in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico.

[cheers] -Scotland.

One of three nations in the United Kingdom.

Beautiful blue and white flag, bears the cross of St. Andrew, the apostle of Jesus Christ, who first brought Christianity to Scotland.

It is filled with cultures unique unto itself.

There are three parts, the highlands, lowlands, and southern uplands.

Scotland is a beautiful green country filled with lochs or lakes, marshes, over 2,000 castles.

It is home to 5.4 million people who speak English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic.

The nation of Scotland.

-Slovakia, geographical midpoint of Europe.

6,000 caves, the world's largest number of castles, and the pop art master, Andy Warhol, was born in Pennsylvania, but his parents came from a smal.. in Slovakia.

We welcome Slovakia.

-Next, the nation of Thailand, a South Asian country known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha.

In Bangkok, the capital, an ultra-modern cityscape rises next to the quiet communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Emerald Buddha temple.

The capital is Bangkok.

The nation of Thailand.

Trinidad and Tobago.

The Republic is the Southernmost island country in the Caribbean.

The country consists of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller islands.

They're well known for the African and Indian cultures reflected in its large and famous carnival, Diwali, and Hosay celebrations.

It is also the birthplace of the limbo.

Favorite musical style such as calypso, soca, and rapso, and the famous steelpan, a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from a 55-gallon drum.

Trinidad and Tobago.

Jackson State Community College.

Studying abroad in France, Germany, and Ireland.

These are part of the International Cultural Exchange Services.

Gretchen Mitchell, district representative for Tennessee and Kentucky with exchange students from Brazil, Spain, South Korea.

There is a group of high school foreign exchange students who have come to study in America, living in local homes, attending local high schools.

They share the cultures and learn about our local way of life.

American high school students can study abroad as well.

You can go and see them at their booth, the International Cultural Exchange Services if you'd like to learn how you can host students and/or give your own children the gift of studying abroad.

Jackson State Community College.

-Our thanks to Jackson State.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, our parade continues with Mexico.

[cheers] -A country that exports many fruits, exports tequila, 67 different languages, 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mexico City, the sixth largest city in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you will, Mexico.

[cheers] [music] -We got a special presentation coming up to end the parade.

The Mexican Dance.

Performing this is the Mexican Folkloric Dance Group from Nashville, Tennessee.

[music] [cheers] -Beautiful.

Thank you.

Raíces de Mi Tierra from Nashville.

Thank you for our Mexican dancer.

[music] [applause] -How beautiful.

Eduardo, I should have gotten you to help me to say that.

The dancers.

-Okay, this group came from Nashville, Tennessee, and they are the Grupo Raíces de Mi Tierra.

That's the Roots of My Land.

They are a special performance, a special ballet.

We really appreciate that they came here for us today.

We want to appreciate also all the other groups.

We're going to start our ceremony in just a few minutes, but thank you so much.

[Spanish language] [applause] -Thank you so much.

I want to give credit to our dancers.

We do have one more group to walk through.

This is the International Cultural Exchange Student Organization.

They are students from abroad studying here.

Thank you all very much.

-Right now, we're at the Jackson International Festival's Children's Area.

It's a whole building filled with activities just for kids.

Lots of fun stuff to do, so let's look around.

[music] -Welcome to the main stage here at the Jackson International Food and Art Festival, where many cultures are represented by beautiful perf.. from all over the world.

Let's watch.

[music] [Philippine music] -Thank you so much.

-Thank you so much.

[Mexican music] [Philippine music] [Irish music] [music] [cheers] [music] [indistinct chanting] [Aztec music] [applause] [Indian music] -Hello?

Please, feel free to join us, we're going to dance one more time on the road.

[Indian music] -This program you've been watching was made possible through the generous financial support of West Tennessee PBS viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible, thank you.

[music] It's all about home.