County of Gaston issued the following announcement on Mar. 18.
After being delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gaston Multicultural Arts Xperience, or Gaston MAX (Spanish), is finally happening in person. The festival will be Saturday, March 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Downtown Gastonia at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion (107 N. South St., Gastonia, NC 28052). The family-friendly event is free and open to all.
Originally scheduled to take place in March 2020, Gaston MAX is a collaboration between Gaston County Public Library, the Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, Gaston County Government, and the City of Gastonia. It showcases art, music, literature, and culture.
“We are so excited. This has been a long time coming,” said Dandria Bradley, Gaston County’s Deputy Communications Director, who has served as chairperson for the festival’s planning committee since January 2019.
The first-of-its-kind festival for Gaston County will feature live performances, story times, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.
“I don’t want to give away too much, but there’ll be free face painting, Henna artists, Japanese origami, and more. It’s going to be so much fun,” said Christine Ingle, Event Planner and Resource Manager for the City of Gastonia, who serves as co-chair of the planning committee.
The county’s health department will also be on site to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to be vaccinated.
The goal is to come together and celebrate the different people and cultures that make Gaston County a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
“These last two years have been difficult for our community, and Gaston MAX is just what we need to remind us of who we are. The people of Gaston County are resilient, and our diversity is what makes us stronger. Together, we can do anything,” said Bradley.
Original source can be found here.
