In Hamtramck, it is indeed a small world

By Ian Perrotta
Review Staffwriter

For most days in this city, a trip around the block is a trip around the world.

But next Saturday (April 24) you can get the same experience by just walking around People’s Community Services (PCS). The organization will be hosting the annual Hamtramck Mini World’s Fair.

The free event is a celebration of the city’s cultural diversity and will have plenty to do for both adults and children alike. The event’s planner, Kristina Rice, a Masters of Social Work Intern at PCS, said she tried to focus on the countries with large immigrant representation in the city.

“There will be something for almost everyone in Hamtramck,” she said. “It should be really entertaining for anyone who attends.”

In addition to Bosnian, Bangladeshi, Yemeni, and Polish dance groups, there will also be African-American, Arab, Bosnian, Bangladeshi and Polish cultural displays. For the younger crowd, included in the day’s lineup are numerous crafts, culturally diverse children’s activities, story times and refreshments that include an international assortment of desserts.

New to the event this year will be special passports issued to each child in attendance. After participating in an activity, the passport will be stamped, and after a certain amount of stamps the child will earn an extra ticket for a raffle held at the day’s end.

The Hamtramck Mini-World’s Fair is a free event conducted in partnership with the Arab American Museum, ACCESS, the City of Hamtramck, the Hamtramck Public Library, and is sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s “Cities of Promise” program. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the People’s Community Services building, located at the corner of Jos. Campau and Danforth.