DjSergio Polanco

The Tri-State Multicultural Festival HAGERSTOWN, MD - Celebrating differences through music, song and dance brought the Hagerstown community together. After two years of planning, the first Tri-State Multicultural Festival kicked off at City Park.

"The United States is still becoming more and more diverse. Again, this is the celebration of diversity in the area, the diverse population, and I think it's great," says Sila Alegret-Bartel, co-chair of the Tri-State Multicultural Festival Committee.

The Tri-State Multicultural Committee, along with the Hagerstown and Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, are working to make this an annual event. 

"It's going to grow. There are so many different cultures that are represented here at this Tri-State Multicultural Festival. We welcome diversity here in Hagerstown and Washington County, and we're very pleased that this first year event is so successful," says Tom Riford, CEO and president of the Hagerstown and Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The festival began with a parade and carried on with different performances, music and food from more than 16 countries.

"This is the day we start working together and supporting the diversity," says Sergio Polanco, co-chair of the Tri-State Multicultural Festival Committee.

In memory of loved ones, the festival is donating a portion of its proceeds to cancer research. 

"Unfortunately, two years ago I lost my mom to GIST cancer, which is gastrointestinal stromal tumor. We decided that in memory of my mom to donate parts of the funds that we're going to raise today to the GIST Cancer Research Fund," says Gaby Polanco, with the Tri-State Multicultural Festival marketing.

Families basked in the sun while celebrating our global culture.