Mines 60th Annual Cultural Expo Features International Food and Entertainment

South Dakota Mines students, faculty and staff will join a variety of community groups to celebrate cultures from around the world with food, entertainment and displays during the annual South Dakota Mines Cultural Expo. International students at Mines have been sharing their cultures with the community with an annual event for 60 years.

The first iteration of today's Cultural Expo occurred on campus in 1963. The “International Expo” was recorded in Mines yearbook as follows: “Many persons attended the event, which included a potluck supper and a program of international entertainment, in addition to numerous international displays of arts and handcraft from foreign countries.”

This year's Cultural Expo includes a two-day showcase:

On Thursday, March 30, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. the Surbeck Center ballroom opens to visiting K-12 schools who wish to attend. School children from throughout the Black Hills region will engage in hands-on educational exercises and displays. Watch this video for more information on the different activities.

On Saturday, April 1, the Cultural Expo opens to the general public, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Surbeck Ballroom. The ever-popular event includes international food sampling prepared by students and community groups. There is an $10 charge for sampling of ethnic foods, which starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday only. Entertainment features a variety of traditional music and dancing from a wide range of cultures.

Mines' Cultural Expo is sponsored by international students, faculty and staff, the Student Association and the Ivanhoe International Center at South Dakota Mines along with International Students Inc., Black Hills Energy, Coca-Cola and more.