"Something even greater going on"

The Press of Pelican Rapids Editorial, June 27, 2007

Somewhere between watching a piñata get smashed and talking to Monte Yellow Bird about his spectacular artwork, we wondered to ourselves, “Where else in the county, or country for that matter, could we be chatting with Vikings while holding a plate of German brats, Mexican tamales and roasted goat meat and listening to live bagpipe music.” We venture to guess nowhere other than right here in Pelican Rapids at the annual International Friendship Festival. Besides the great food, music and entertainment there was something even greater going on. Their was a sense of appreciation for all the differences. As the young students attending Spamarta camp this past week learned, there is something beyond tolerance, there is the opportunity to accept people not like us in every way. Pelican often sets itself apart by achieving great things, but in a changing America and World, we think that the Friendship Festival is one of the great examples of why Pelican sets itself apart. Opportunities are created and taken advantage of. There are many in the community spearheading a trend toward making everyone a part of the rich traditions in Pelican Rapids, not just those who have lineage tied to the land here.” "Strangers becoming friends” was the theme for the festival this year, and many of the people we know who have taken it upon themselves to get acquainted with new members of the community are not only those who understand their neighbors the most, but those who are the happiest.

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