About the FESTIVAL

This year’s Theme:

“The Vision of Change”

To a True Community Festival!

As host of the Annual Unity Festival, I am reaching out for your participation in taking this year’s festival to new heights at a time when our community needs to turn their attention from economic despair to brighter “Visions of the Future”.

 

Author Joyce Schwarz is our guest speaker for the 5^th Annual Unity Festival. 

Ms. Schwarz’ latest achievement, “The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life” book by Harper Collins Publishing, Collins Design, #1 Spiritual bestseller Amazon.com, features my personal vision board,  (See book page 143, shown below)

 

Schwarz is a leader in emerging communications, entertainment and technologies on the West Coast.  Her other published books include: “Multimedia 2000″ for the NAB in 1992, “Gateway to the Next Millennium”, “Successful Re-careering”, Career Press, 1993, Harcourt Brace, 1994, “How to Break Into the New Hollywood”, Hay House, 1995 and “Cutting the Cord: Tech TV’s Consumer Guide to Going Wireless,” Que Publishing, Spring, 2002.

 

Because this year’s theme is “Visions of Change” inspired by President Obama and Scranton native Vice President Biden (formally invited), we’re partnering with the arts community through organizations such as with Heart to Art (which participated in last year’s festival by creating the beautiful Unity Mural now hanging in the County Commissioners suite) to help involve the community in making vision boards to be displayed at the Festival using Joyce Schwarz’ book as the official Guide.

 

I envision this as a wonderful and broad opportunity for galvanizing the community through vision board workshops and gatherings leading up to the festival and possibly awarding a prize to the best vision board creator which can include public display in the community.

 

I hope to encourage you to consider becoming a sponsor.

 

This is truly a “Community” Festival recognized as one of the unique heritage celebrations of Lackawanna County and growing in popularity each year.  This five year milestone celebrates the dynamic change, and positive visions for Northeast Pennsylvania!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Diane V. Boone

Founder, Melanian Unity Festival

 Mission:

The mission of the Annual Unity Festival is to inspire social interaction of all cultures in Lackawanna county and to make as our collective vocation, the building and development of “one” strong community with traditional greatness and a bonded communal foundation upon which our children grow to become positive, productive, and proud people.

 

Purpose:

The purpose and goal of the Unity Festival is to celebrate the merging cultures in our area, promote multicultural fellowship within the community by providing venue for local merchants, young performers and assisting the outreach of organizations and institutions that enrich the families of our region. Through positive interaction and entertainment, the Unity Festival adds to cultural tourism and economic growth in Northeast Pennsylvania and creates an outstanding vehicle of inclusiveness for local governments and corporations that invest in our community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT WE OFFER:

This multicultural celebration continues to demonstrate the diversity of Northeast Pennsylvania and more specifically Lackawanna County.  We anticipate thousands of attendees throughout the day coming from all over to enjoy the all-day festivities.

CONTINUOUS family entertainment:  The festival kicks off at noon and ends at 9: pm.  The event is marked by music provided by a local DJ; stage performances by local entertainers; Hip-Hop Step Teams; amazing cultural dance troupes; games, arts & crafts displays by local artisans; unique merchandise by local vendors; and a host of delicious ethnic cuisines supplied by our food vendors.

MORE for families—Non-Profit organizations and educational exhibitors from Lackawanna County get to demonstrate and share information about their services and programs available to the community. Families come out and meet face to face, the people who work hard to provide a better quality of life in Northeast Pennsylvania and spend the day learning about the many opportunities in the area and how they can benefit by them.

HOW YOUR COMPANY BENEFITS:

The Annual Unity Festival is hosted by Melanian News, Publishing Inc.  A leader in reaching the African-American, and other ethnic communities in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Monroe Counties where community growth is strong and represent considerable new spending power and service needs. 

Is your company successfully tapping into this market? 

Do you currently have an effective diversity outreach program in place? 

Is your approach inclusive?

Would you like help reaching these communities with your message?

The Unity Festival was created to:

Ø Promote awareness of services and opportunities available that enhance the quality of life in the community.

Ø Familiarize local residents, businesses and organizations with the expressions of merging ethnic cultures in our community.

Ø Contribute to the heritage celebrations that are unique to Lackawanna County.

The design and format of the festival encourages the attendance of families who are attracted by the positive, educational, and cultural experiences in a safe, outdoor environment.  Activities are choreographed for all ages and diversities, bringing together a “community happening” – indeed this is the “True Community Festival of Northeast Pennsylvania.”  Our expectations are:

Ø Merchandise, food and information vendors

Ø Heritage displays and cultural art displays

Ø 1,000+ visitors throughout the day

Ø teen/young adult and boomer family targets

Ø Guest speakers and local artist entertainment

Ø Jazz, R&B, Latin, Reggae, hip-hop, and Rock

This intimate community event successfully began four years ago in celebration of Melanian News bridging the gap to the merging cultures in Northeast Pennsylvania.  It is our hope to continue it each year as an integral part of the unique heritage celebrations throughout our area.  The festival is free to the public and all proceeds cover event expenses, planning, and community initiatives that improve the quality of life in NEPA.