Covid Schmovid – Wapato’s Cultural Unity Fair Is Back This Year!

Nothing lasts forever....but maybe somethings should...like Wapato Middle School's Cultural Unity Fair.  The celebration was established back in the early 1980's and has run every year around this time for 37 years...until last year when the event fell victim to the Coronavirus pandemic.

But you can't keep a good event down, especially when it's coordinated by a Wapato Middle School alumna and current Wapato Middle School computer teacher Erin Gonzales. Gonzales participated in the event back in her day and performed cultural dances on the stage at the Capitol Theatre.

The successful formula has been to have the schools cultural club members operate food booths for the public.  In the past, the Asian club, Mecha club, Euro club, Native American club and the school spirit club would each cook up 5 or 6 items for sale at their booths as the public wandered through the gym trying out the various delicacies.  Cultural dance and entertainment was available in another area of the school.

The Coronavirus complicates things this year so instead of people coming in for the food, the students will bring the food out to the customers in a drive through situation similar to the Central Washington State Fair's Drive Through Food Fest.   Instead of shopping for individual treats, the student will combine their work into sampler platters although a classic cheese zombie can still be purchased on its own.

This is the week to purchase your advance tickets but drive up tickets will be available.  Because of the Coronavirus restrictions, the students haven't been able to gather and practice their dances so Coordinator Gonzales has come up with a fun and nostalgic way to showcase the entertainment that has always been an important part of the Cultural Unity Fair.