On October 5th, the 23rd annual Irvine Global Village Festival was held at the Great Park in Orange County. Residents of Irvine and surrounding cities gathered to enjoy the wonderful weather, performances, games, food, and giveaways.
Irvine City Councilman Mike Carroll, who is also the chairman of the Great Park, expressed that over 30,000 people attended the celebration of the most culturally diverse city festival in America. He highlighted the diversity and inclusivity of Irvine, where people from different backgrounds and faiths coexist with mutual respect. Irvine has been recognized as the safest medium-sized city in America for 18 consecutive years.
After the Marine Corps returned the airport to the local community, Irvine residents voted to build a city park in its place, now known as the Great Park. Carroll shared that the park has various sports fields and themed park spaces. A $1 billion development plan has been approved for the park, which includes the construction of the Asian American Museum, Navy Aviation Museum, Children’s Museum, outdoor amphitheater, and two lakes.
In May of this year, Irvine was once again named the third “most family-friendly city in America” by WalletHub, considering factors such as housing costs, schools, healthcare, and outdoor activities. Irvine ranked first in health and safety categories and second in education and childcare.
Furthermore, Irvine’s park system has been listed in the top ten for nine consecutive years by the Trust for Public Land. In the organization’s Park Score ranking of the top 100 most populous cities in America, Irvine was placed fourth.
Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan expressed sincere gratitude to foreign diplomats and staff from various countries who attended the event. She also thanked hundreds of volunteers and city workers for their contributions. The event featured cultural performances, foods, and music from over 50 different nationalities and regions.
The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of UC Irvine, Hal Stern, highlighted the university’s leadership in teaching, research, and public service. UCI has played a significant role in the local economy, contributing $7 billion. Plans to expand the medical system and open a new medical building are in progress.
Apart from university resources, several high schools in Irvine rank among the top in California. The city offers rich resources for bilingual education, tutoring services, and music education.
The Irvine International Academy (IIA), a bilingual English and Chinese school, has 530 students ranging from 1st grade to 8th grade. The curriculum includes challenging Singapore Math courses, science labs, and weekly music classes.
WePlay Music School offers classes for children as young as 18 months to adults, aiming to cultivate a love and appreciation for music, as well as discipline, creativity, and confidence. Courses include piano, voice, guitar, string, and drum lessons.
Irvine Art Music Center has been providing music education and instrument services for 24 years in Irvine. They sponsor music concerts every year and support the Irvine High School Marching Band.
With the festival in full swing, Chairman Carroll noted his enjoyment of twisted potato chips and ballet and Latin dance performances. Residents like Kartar Diamond shared their love for the diverse arts, crafts, and cuisines from different ethnic backgrounds showcased at the event.
Participants, including the Irvine Chinese Youth Dragon and Lion Dance Team, delighted the audience with their performances. Members like Liu Zihua found joy in performing and being appreciated by the spectators. The team continues to engage in community events and welcome new members to join their practices on Saturdays.
Overall, the Irvine Global Village Festival celebrated the cultural diversity, culinary delights, and musical experiences from various nations and regions, embodying the spirit of unity and harmony within the vibrant community of Irvine.