63rd International Street Fair continues tradition of multicultural celebration
Some of the volunteers who helped set up and run International Street Fair pose on stage for a photo.
On a cool but comfortable overcast Sunday in April, Alumni Mall was transformed into a celebratory showcase of the many international cultures represented at Virginia Tech. This experience was made possible by an annual tradition entering its 63rd edition, the International Street Fair.
Hosted by the Council for International Student Organizations (CISO) and Cranwell International Center, the International Street Fair offers international student organizations the opportunity to share their histories, traditions, and cultures with the broader Hokie community.
The event kicked off with the Global Cultural Parade, an inclusive parade that invited all attending student organizations to march through Alumni Mall with the HokieBird, flashing colorful clothing and eye-catching decorations.
Shaded booths lined one side of Alumni Mall, each one packed full of students presenting informational displays, cultural activities, and items for sale. Students in traditional clothing also mingled among fairgoers, engaging with the crowd and contributing to a festive atmosphere.
Attendees had access to 14 food trucks selling international delicacies and refreshments — with lines that stretched across Alumni Mall soon after the street fair opened. Attendees also were treated to a wealth of fantastic music and dance performances on the main stage under Torgersen Bridge.
Many people and organizations came together to help make this year’s street fair a success. Several departments across the Virginia Tech community, over 40 student organizations, and the Town of Blacksburg all had a hand in organizing and setting up the fair. The Council for International Student Organizations worked to make sure the planning and execution of the International Street Fair went smoothly.
