Mother Nature Smiles on Columbia’s Earth Day Multicultural Event

Wednesday provided some beautiful weather for a big party at Columbia College, where the theme was environmental and cultural awareness.

The Earth Day Multicultural event, formerly known as the Powwow, featured live music, dancing, food and drink.

Mary Miles represented the Associated Students of Columbia College, and said the turnout was “huge… we had a huge turnout this year.”

Dan Malbey set up the musical acts for the event and said they also had groups representing Mother Nature.

“We had Enviro-House come out… and other great environmental organizations. The Department of Forestry is here, and it´s really good to get a chance to talk to these people. We don´t see them on a day-to-day basis,” said Malbey.

Sonny Hendricks, a member of the Mi Wuk tribe, said he´s been coming to the event for years.

“In this day and age, it´s very important, not only to retain your own culture, but to associate with other people,” Hendricks said.

The festival also featured some educational booths from groups such as the Mountain Women´s Resource Center and Columbia College´s Multicultural club.

It happened Wednesday at the Manzanita building on the Columbia College Campus.