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Associated Press
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FROM MANY NATIONS, ONE MAINE – Celebrate at 23rd Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON)
PORTLAND, Maine, July 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Hundreds of international flags will sway in the breeze as summer heats up on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Deering Oaks Park for the 23rd Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations (FON). This vibrant celebration is a feast for the eyes and ears, showcasing Maine's rich cultural diversity while preserving traditions, fostering ethnic understanding, and promoting unity. This year's theme: 'FROM MANY NATIONS, ONE MAINE.' FON is thrilled to welcome back its charismatic chair, Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo), Portland's own singing sensation. Now a celebrated singer, songwriter, and actor based in Los Angeles, Lagos, and New York City, Michael O. will headline the festival in a triumphant homecoming. The electrifying Stream Reggae Band returns as the house band, alongside a lineup of talented performers ready to dazzle the crowd. Attendees will enjoy the scenic beauty of Deering Oaks Park while savoring delicious global cuisines from diverse vendors, dancing to live music, and exploring unique holiday shopping opportunities. Represented cultures include African American, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Caribbean, Congolese, French, Finnish, Greek, Hispanic, Irish, East Indian, Italian, Native American, Nigerian, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Sudanese, Thai, Ugandan, and Vietnamese. The FON is goal is to provide a fun and uplifting experience for families so this year we are proud to announce that Love Lab Studio will provide art activities for children! Love Lab Studio is a children's and community art studio located in Portland. They believe art is one of the tools for co-creating a better world. They are so excited to make art with everyone! For more information, please visit Highlights include: Admission is FREE! (Food and gifts available for purchase.) COME, EAT, SING, DANCE, AND CELEBRATE MAINE'S CULTURAL TAPESTRY! When: Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10 AM – 6 PM Where: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine More info: MULTIMEDIA: Image links for media: POSTER: LOGO: NEWS SOURCE: Greater Portland Festival of Nations ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Shalom Odokara Coordinator/FON (207) 420-1277 ### Keywords: Entertainment, Greater Portland Festival of Nations, Stream Reggae Band, Deering Oaks Park, Michael Odokara-Okigbo, Women in Need inc, PORTLAND, Maine This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Greater Portland Festival of Nations) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127749 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St. Paul firefighters nationally recognized for carrying kids from house fire
Two St. Paul firefighters have been recognized nationally with an award of valor. Firefighters Jacob Ryks and Mason Conlin found multiple young children in a burning home in Payne-Phalen last year and carried them out. 'Despite the valiant efforts,' four of the six children died, said the award from Firehouse Magazine. Two of the children and their mother survived. The Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor is named for a now-retired Worcester, Mass., fire department district chief. It 'reflects a larger mission about what it means to be brave in the face of danger,' according to the magazine. McNamee 'displayed great courage at the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire in December 1999, when he made the bold decision to stop additional Worcester firefighters from entering the building when there already were six lost inside.' It was the middle of the night on Jan. 3, 2024, when an unattended candle started a fire at a home on Arkwright Street near Maryland Avenue. Ker Lor and her children became trapped in the home that was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. The children were 1 to 6 years old and included a set of twins. Lor's husband, Pa Cheng Vang, was at work. Ryks forced his way into the home as Conlin prepared a firehose. In the first bedroom, Ryks felt around and found a child on a bed, who he carried outside to turn over for care. He went back into the same room, encountered a bunkbed and found another child who he carried outside. 'With water on the fire, Conlin peeled off and began to search, when he found a child in another bedroom and carried the individual outside,' Firehouse Magazine said in the commendation. 'He continued to search. Instincts kicked in, and he unraveled a blanket and found another child, who he brought to medics outside.' Ryks went back again to the room where he found two children and located another child. A firefighter and captain found the sixth child and Lor. The two firefighters have also been recognized locally, with the MN 100 Club presenting First Responder of the Year Awards to them in St. Paul in November. Abigail R. Hall: Police use of military tools presents a growing danger Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry will not run for a third term 2 unidentified campers found dead on Isle Royale National Park Community memorial set for William 'Ike' Eickholt, found dead last winter Lakeville man sentenced in first wage theft criminal conviction in state
