The second annual Keweenaw International Children’s Festival (KICFest) brought a week of cultural discovery, learning, and community celebration to the Portage Lake District Library from September 14–19, 2026.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, KICFest Volume II welcomed children, families, students, and community members to explore cultures from around the world through games, storytelling, music, educational displays, cultural booths, and hands-on activities.
The festival featured a variety of special programs, including Kahoot! Around the World Night, hosted with support from the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), BINGO: Flags Around the World with International Neighbors, an inspiring presentation by Dr. Hnin Lwin on investing in your future self, an Indonesian Culture Session led by Alexandra Dixon, Sound Healing and World Instruments with Esmeralda, and a Spanish Storytime presented by Estela.
Visitors also had the opportunity to explore cultural displays representing Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Palestine, and India, learning about traditions, languages, clothing, and everyday life from around the world.
This year’s festival was intentionally scheduled alongside the week leading up to the Festival of Nations, helping create a broader community celebration of cultural diversity and welcoming many new students, families, and community members at the beginning of the academic year. While maintaining its focus on children and families, KICFest also attracted a wider audience and strengthened connections among local organizations and cultural groups.
The success of KICFest Volume II was made possible through the collaboration of many partners and volunteers, including the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program (EBLP), Portage Lake District Library (PLDL), International Neighbors, Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Muslim Student Association (MSA), Portage Auxiliary, Pustakalana Library (Indonesia), Keweenaw Storytelling Center (KSC), presenters, cultural booth hosts, and community volunteers.
The festival also received coverage from TV6 News and The Keweenaw Report, helping share the story of this growing community tradition with audiences across the region.
More than just a festival, KICFest continues to be a celebration of curiosity, friendship, and cultural understanding. By bringing together people of different backgrounds, languages, and experiences, the festival demonstrates how libraries and community organizations can create welcoming spaces where everyone has the opportunity to learn from one another.
Thank you to all the volunteers, presenters, partners, and participants who helped make Keweenaw International Children’s Festival Volume II a success. We look forward to continuing this celebration of cultures and community in the years to come.
