Union City celebrates its diverse culture

Cultural pride was on display Sunday at Union City’s Centennial Melting Pot Festival. Part of its 100-year anniversary celebration, the August 17 event paid tribute to the community’s diverse population.

The festivities got underway at noon, with vendors and activities for patrons of all ages lining 49th Street from Hudson Avenue to Broadway.

“It’s nice to come out and see different cultures in the community come out and celebrate our differences, things that are alike—food, music, dancing,” said Union City resident Rob
Goodman.

“I love the delicious food,” said Union City resident Jhaojun Guo. “Everybody here is so
welcoming and so friendly.”

The dancing certainly was a highlight for many at the festival, who grabbed a seat wherever they could to watch the performers showcase their country’s unique moves and costumes.

In the case of Sophia Alawi, whose mother organized Union City’s August 9 th Moroccan Cultural Day Festival, the event provided yet another chance for her to promote her culture and her short film “Lioness.”

“I’m from Union City so I take any opportunity to come here and talk to my community about it,” Alawi said.

Amid the festive atmosphere, Union City Emergency Medical Services workers were on hand to spread the word about overdose prevention, handing out the opioid reversal treatment NARCAN to anyone who needed it.

“We are always trying to teach the community, especially with the overdoses about NARCAN, how to get it and always have it handy if they need it,” said Union City EMT Yesenia Berrios.