Tapestry Fest weaves together food, music, and entertainment from around the world

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa — The second annual Tapestry Fest showcased Mount Pleasant’s diverse community with representation from the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

PFLAG started the event in 2023 because they feel it’s important to be aware of everyone in the community.

“It’s been nothing but positive. And it’s been a lot of fun,” said PFLAG Vice President Paul Winer. “The music that last year we had, a lot of local sort of singers, most of them came back and, and we were lucky enough to get a hold of Blame Not The Bard, the wonderful Iowa Midwestern Celtic group and everyone loved them.”

KTVO spoke to some participants about how they represented their countries and why.

The Swedish- American Museum handed out lingonberry jam on crackers since lingonberries are unique to Sweden.

Johanna Larson-Crawford is a descendent of Swedish immigrants which has given her an appreciation for different cultures.

Larson-Crawford explained, “I’m happy to be a child of Swedesburg, Iowa. And, I went away to college and studied French and Spanish. I taught French for about 20, 25 years, and I wanted my students to understand how, you know, the customs are different, the education is different, but it’s okay. You know, you can’t be afraid of something just because it’s different.”

La Phanthouvong represented Laos with spring rolls and fried rice because although spring rolls are originally from Vietnam, Phanthouvong says they represent all of Southeast Asia.

“You know, with Vietnam, Thai, Laos, and Cambodia, that whole area, we just kind of get from each other, you know,” said Phanthouvong. “So yeah, it’s just a mix of cultures I feel like that’s what Laos is.”

Phanthouvong also represented the Optimae Life Services booth because, she says, mental health awareness and representation for minorities are important, especially in a community with many stories to tell such as Mount Pleasant.