iFest draws on the rich cultural history of Elgin

Ben Puffer JudsUniversity student holds Cambodian flag during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival ElgIll. Saturday September 1 2012.

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Ben Puffer, a Judson University student, holds a Cambodian flag during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Arisbel Galvan dances during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade ElgIll. Saturday September 1 2012.

| Andrew A. Nelles~For

Arisbel Galvan dances during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

The crowd watches parade during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival ElgIll. Saturday September 1 2012.

| Andrew A. Nelles~For

The crowd watches the parade during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Hpainted day dead ceramic skulls imported from Mexico for sale Space Taste booth during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival

Hand painted day of the dead ceramic skulls, imported from Mexico, for sale at the at the Space Taste booth during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

The ElgHigh School marching bincluding Miguel Vasquez center performs during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade ElgIll. Saturday September

The Elgin High School marching band, including Miguel Vasquez, center, performs during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

The Lao Community flopasses by during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade ElgIll. Saturday September 1 2012.

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The Lao Community float passes by during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival parade in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Festival goes leave Festival Park as rarolls during The City Elgin’s inaugural International Festival ElgIll. Saturday September 1 2012.

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Festival goes leave Festival Park as rain rolls in during The City of Elgin’s inaugural International Festival in Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 1, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

ELGIN — The remnants of Hurricane Isaac began sweeping through the Fox Valley just after noon Saturday, sending festival goers huddling under tents and away from the rain at Elgin’s first-ever International Festival. While attendance early in the day was slow, the festival’s organizers said … Read More