Rolla has a long tradition as a community that comes together for big events, big priorities, big causes, community projects and yes, even big celebrations. The Brey Sportsplex, Ber Juan Sportsplex, The Centre, Lions Club Park, ACORN Trail, St. Pat’s Parade, Rolla Christmas Parade, Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, Route 66 Summerfest, and most recently Veterans Memorial Park, are just a few examples of this community-wide support we see throughout the Rolla area.
Over two weeks ago the community and City, together with the leadership of the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and Rolla Police Department, and numerous businesses and agencies, held the 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up. Last Saturday the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival was hosted by the Rolla Downtown Business Association, downtown merchants, numerous craft and food vendors, and non-profit organizations during the Missouri S&T homecoming weekend.
With the same community spirit and sense of collaboration we so often see in the Rolla community, the first annual Celebration of Nations was held last Saturday, Oct. 9 in downtown Rolla to celebrate our rich international community. If you didn’t have a chance to see either the Parade of Nations (over 81 countries represented), the International Festival or International Idol competition that was part of the Celebration of Nations, you missed a very delightful and festive celebration of international proportions. But what is even more impressive than the large turnout for this inaugural event, is the amount of collaborative energy and enthusiasm that went into it, and the amount of cooperation and teamwork demonstrated among Missouri S&T, the City of Rolla, and all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who worked together to host this unique and successful event.
Dr. Kent Ray, Provost of Missouri S&T, and the catalyst for the vision of the Celebration of Nations, said in his welcoming remarks at the downtown bandsehll during the Celebration of Nations, that he hopes the event will become an annual occurrence in the Rolla community, and I would like to echo his remarks. When you see all of the problems and turmoil being experienced in other countries throughout the world because of cultural differences, it is inspiring to see an event like the Celebration of Nations bring so much harmony, peace, and enjoyment to the Ozark foothills where we as a community embrace and support our cultural diversity. Of course I have not even mentioned yet the educational and social benefits of this event that allows children and adults of all ages to learn more about other countries, their culture and their way of life.
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone to please try to attend one of the upcoming public forums that are being hosted by the City of Rolla, the Parks & Recreation Department and The Centre to allow citizens an opportunity to give input on recreation programming; input on future park needs; capital improvement projects (long-term and short-term) and ways to fund these projects. The first public forum was held on Oct. 13 at the Rolla Elks Lodge. The second of the three public forums will be held this Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Centre (1200 North Holloway Street) and the third forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Newman Center located at 1607 North Rolla Street. For additional information regarding the forums, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386.
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colorful panoramic views that make this time of the year particularly enjoyable in the Missouri Ozarks. Have a great week.
No comments:
Post a Comment