‘Love Your Neighbor Fest’ draws more than 200 to peek into cultures from across the globe

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Members of the Staten Island Hindu Temple Dance Troupe. (Courtesy/Rev. Terry Troia) Staten Island Advance

By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 200 from neighborhoods across Staten Island came together Saturday at the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park for a festival that could be described as Epcot Theme Park meets “It’s a Small World After All.”

The third annual “Love Your Neighbor Fest” offered a peek into cultures from across the globe, with food and entertainment representing India, Jamaica, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, Korea and, of course, the good old USA.

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The Unity Praise Team at St. Philip’s Baptist Church. (Courtesy/Max Hong)Staten Island Advance

The Mighty String Demons, violinists who range in from 8 to 17, warmed the crowd, and the headliner, the South Shore Band, dedicated its performance to its late French horn player and advocate for veterans’ rights, Lee Covino who passed away last month.

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Members of the Ballet Folklorico de Staten Island. (Courtesy/Rev. Terry Troia)Staten Island Advance

The diversity festival’s chief organizer, Project Hospitality, worked with the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, the NYC Human Rights Commission and dozens of local groups to bring the event to fruition.

The festival was also sponsored by the office of the Richmond County District Attorney, Hate Crimes Task Force.

Every year the festival has grown, said organizers, who marveled at the turnout and dubbed the gathering a “Staten Island tradition in the making.”