Wareham is perhaps better described as a small, New England coastal town than a cosmopolitan mecca.  But at the East Wareham, Ethel E. Hammond, and Minot Forest Elementary Schools' International Festival, held at Minot Forest on Wednesday, Feb. 24, Wareham students and their families traveled from Mexico to China to pre-Columbian America in celebration of Wareham residents' cultural diversity and heritage.

"It's a chance for families and children to explore diversity in a fun and exciting way," said Grace Kish, the event's coordinator and member of the Village PTA. "If they tried to learn all this just by reading textbooks in the classroom, some of them might be bored to tears."

The event started in 2003, according to Kish, and originally just included the Hammond and East Wareham Elementary Schools. Two years ago, the event expanded to include host Minot Forest Elementary. And each year, the event becomes a little bit bigger.

Tony Volpe and his son, Minot Forest second-grader Nico, began their preparations two months ago when Mr. Volpe started building a full-size wigwam in Mrs. Robillard's classroom to reflect the family's Native American heritage.

"I had to move it out over February Vacation," Mr. Volpe said, explaining that the bark that covered the stick frame had begun creating a bit of a mess.

In addition to the wigwam, the family table displayed Native American headdresses and crafts. Many visitors were particularly fascinating with the wooden bows-and-arrows and pocket knives handpainted and carved by Mr. Volpe.

Families, classrooms and teachers set up Heritage Tables that displayed a country or a culture.  They showed native crafts, pictures of their country's famous sights and other cultural artifacts. Many tables also offered samples of traditional food - according to second-grader Rebecca Kish, the rice pudding from Puerto Rico and the Gotongo from Cape Verde were particularly popular.

The evening also featured ethnic dance performances by students from Kaleidoscope Dance Company, who performed and taught participants hula and African dancing, as well as a special performance from faculty and staff members who formed a Conga line.

A crafts table was covered with yarn and popsicle sticks for making "God's Eye" ornaments from Mexico, and paper was available for creating Chinese lanterns and Japanese origami.

Students and their families were also able to bring the international flavor home with them. Everybody received an International Cookbook full of favorite ethnic recipes from students.