LYNNWOOD — Catherline Wong Lo, 46, has something special to share on Saturday. She is bringing spools of silken cord, pattern books and her heritage.
What she teaches is Chinese knotting, an art she learned in Taiwan. What she hopes people will learn is an appreciation for the art and her culture.
“The knots come from a long time ago,” said Wong Lo, who grew up in Taiwan. “Our ancestors always did the Chinese knots.”
People make animals, flowers and complicated designs out of Chinese knots to bring good fortune, she said.
Wong Lo is one of many people who will share their cultural arts at the 5th annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday. The showcase of ethnic art, food, music and dance will fill the entire Lynnwood Convention Center for the first time.
“I hope more people can come and enjoy the fair,” Wong Lo said. “Maybe they can learn something they’ve never known before.”
The craft also gives people like Wong Lo a chance to share their story with others. Four years ago, she won an immigration lottery and moved to Mountlake Terrace with her family. She continues to make Chinese knots to decorate her house, have fun and give as gifts.
The hands-on experience is what makes the fair unique, said Pam Graham of the Family Support Center for South Snohomish County, one of the fair’s sponsors. At least 40 booths will offer cultural arts and crafts for people to try themselves, like soapstone carving, or displays to see. Cambodia, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Ukraine and Viet Nam are some of the countries that will be represented.
Unlike other fairs, people will not be selling things.
“Last year, some people were thrown off by that,” Graham said. “It is a place where people come to seek out and engage in hands-on projects and dialogue. The atmosphere is entirely different than a commercial-type fair.”
On Saturday, Wong Lo will show others how to make the “Shamrock,” one of the simplest Chinese knots. Wong Lo said the knots will be green to signify peace.
“We wish for a peaceful world,” Wong Lo said.
Last year, the fair attracted about 3,500 people. This year’s fair will be bigger because the organizers have reserved the entire convention center this year, not just part of it.
“That’s what I love about it.” Graham said. “It is really a celebration. It is a big, big party.”
In the main hall upstairs, dancers and musicians will take turns performing on the main stage. Several groups will showcase dance moves from around the world, including the Halau Hula O Moani Mokihani Hawaiian Dancers; the Sevdah Bosnian Dance Ensemble; the Lora and Sukatai Dance Ensemble, performing African dances; and Sangeet Moksha, performing East Indian dances.
Downstairs, Edmonds Community College students and faculty will be cooking and serving ethnic food, Graham said. They also will hand out recipe cards.
Last year, visitors requested something a little more substantial to eat, Graham said. So for the first time this year, about six vendors will be selling food, she said
Anyone can join the fun of sharing, she said. Everyone is encouraged to wear clothing of their heritage, she said.
There will be more parking available around the Lynnwood Convention Center because vendors and volunteers will be parking off-site, Graham said.
The fair got its start about five years ago as a party among friends, explained Graham. Several families with biracial children met in a gymnasium to learn about and celebrate their different heritages.
“It is now one of Lynnwood’s signature events,” Graham said. “It’s a great way to introduce your friends and family to the community you live in.”
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