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By David Blymire, May 6, 2005

Last updated: Friday, May 6, 2005 10:59 AM EDT

Carlisle area elementary students are being encouraged to take part in Saturday's Amani Festival in downtown Carlisle.

Elementary students will march in the parade carrying masks they made in art class representing such cultures as Africa, China, Egypt, Phoenicia and early Greece. Some students will be onstage singing or reading their poetry.

Students from Crestview, LeTort and Hamilton elementary schools will be given a "passport to the world" to visit different "countries" within the Amani Festival. They are to seek out "customs officers" — adults wearing a yellow sash — for a stamp on their passports.

They're being encouraged to "visit" different countries and sample the food, look at vendors' displays, learn dances and sing songs.

"We've been looking for ways to give our children more opportunities to experience diversity," says LeTort Principal Jane Musser. "The Amani Festival is a great way... to celebrate diversity."

She adds the festival also is "a great way for the schools to support the community's efforts. We couldn't afford to bring into the schools all these performing groups and activities."

Students at LeTort Elementary heard African stories during a Thursday afternoon assembly by Tanzanian folklorist Joseph Mbele, who is returning to the Amani Festival this year.

Mbele, an associate professor of literature at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., has authored the books, "Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences" and "Matengo Folktales."

The multicultural arts and music festival kicks off in downtown Carlisle at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with a parade in the first three blocks of West High Street followed by opening ceremonies at the Square.

Performers on several stages will offer Eastern Indian, South African, Middle Eastern, Korean, Irish, folk, gospel and blues musical styles.

Grammy-nominated performers Sharon Katz and the Peace Train will bring multi-ethnic Afro-Pop sounds to the main stage.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro Cortes, the highest ranking government official ever to visit the festival, will speak from the main stage at 11 a.m.

The popular Viking long ship will return to the festival and Children's Alley will once again offer children a chance to learn about different cultures through arts, crafts and music.

Children's Alley also will feature storytelling by Mbele and the magic of Nathan Asa.

An interfaith stage will feature performers from area churches along with the Student Indian Association of Dickinson College.

Here's the Amani Festival schedule

Interfaith Stage

• 10 a.m., Opening prayer and remarks (LuAnn Karper);

• 10:15 a.m., Keith Brant, Carlisle Church of God;

• 10:30 a.m., Randy Simpson, North Middleton;

• 11 a.m., Dick and Pat Thorton, Living Waters Tabernacle;

• 11:30 a.m., Jake Lopp, Carlisle Church of God;

• Noon, Choir of Carlisle Evangelical Free Church;

• 1 p.m., David Garner, Newville;

• 1:30 p.m., Indian Students Association, Dickinson College;

• 2:30 p.m., Sandy Whisner, Carlisle Church of God;

• 2:45 p.m., Soldiers of Christ, Bethel AME;

• 3:15 p.m., Jay Smar (religious folk).

• 8:30 a.m., Procession;

• 9 a.m., Opening remarks, invocation by Amani Festival founder Floyd Stokes and Rusty Shunk, Dickinson College's vice president for campus and community affairs;

• 10 a.m., Eastern Indian music by Lance Clewett on tabla accompanied by a sitarist;

• 11 a.m., Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro Cortes;

• 11:30 a.m., Poetry contest award presentations;

• Noon, Sharon Katz and Peace Train, South African music by grammy-nominated group;

• 1 p.m., Central Pennsylvania Woman's Chorus;

• 2 p.m., The Elbahja Dancers, Middle Eastern and Flamenco dance;

• 3 p.m., Korean dance and music;

• 4 p.m., Garry Harrington and Friends, Blue, Blues and More Blues.

• 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., Nathan Asa, magician;

• 11:15 a.m. to noon, Jay Smar, folk singer;

• 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., Nathan Asa;

• 1:15 to 2 p.m., Joseph Embele, African story teller;

• 2:10 p.m. to 3 p.m., Irish Step Dancers.

• 10 a.m. Carlisle High School Improv

• 10:30 a.m. Southside Steppers

• 11 a.m. Chinese Boxing Academy

• 11:30 a.m. Jazz Band from Cumberland Valley High School

• Noon, Carlisle High School Idol Champions

• 12:30 p.m., D-tones (acapella)

• 1 p.m., McGinley Ceili Irish Dancers

• 2 p.m., Ground Control (Hip Hop Dancers and Workshop)