Festival brings culture, fun to Issaquah Highlands | Photos

Published 2:37 pm Saturday, June 23, 2012

For Zuleika Mathieu, Issaquah Highlands Day wasn’t just a chance to share her culture with the neighborhood ­- her daughter performed a traditional Mexican dance with several peers on stage – but a chance to connect with community.

“It’s just perfect,” she said. “I love it.”

A member of a latino mom’s group, the dance wasn’t the result of a performing troupe, but moms passionate about their culture. The festival’s community atmosphere was exactly what she had hoped to find.

The event, which had a multi-cultural theme, was starkly different from last year’s blowout event, which was centered arouond the opening of Swedish Hospital.

This year the community reclaimed the event and it ruminated with its family essence. People  wandered into the affair from all directions. Few bothered to drive. Neighbors found each other between the bouncy houses and the free snow cones.

The event also honored its Highlands volunteers, including T.K. Panni, who was given the key to the Issaquah Highlands. He was an early member of the Issaquah Highlands Community Association, worked with the community garden, and volunteered on the architectural review team.

Katie Zhong, captain of the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team marches at the Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Alyssa Slade, left, and Sophia Romei ride the zip line at Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Riley Martin sprints for a seat on a ride at the Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Naomi Khotemlyanskay performs with several members of a Russian Dance group. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Members of the Russian dance troupe Ivan-da-Mariya perform at Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Payton Kraetsch watches a Russian ballerina dancer on stage at Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

The Issaquah Highlands Day wasn’t without a little politics. Craig Keller, left, and Josh Smith were petitioning locals to stop Issaquah’s new bag ban. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

T.K. Panni, right, receives the key to the Issaquah Highlands. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter

Evan Spinner, left, and Leilani Mathieu take a bow after their traditional Mexican dance at the Issaquah Highlands Day. BY CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter