The Federal Way Community Festival filled Town Square Park with vendors, performances, food trucks and fun on Aug. 10.

The first 100 guests even got $15 food vouchers to use toward the food trucks.

Fil-Am Dance Troupe shared Filipino dances, School of Taiko offered the crowd a chance to feel the rhythm of the Japanese style of drumming, Audrina the Aerialist showed off some acrobatic skills, and DJ Yohiness and DJ Boogie kept the music and the energy flowing throughout the day.

More performers also graced the stage, including the Happy Dance Studios that shares traditional and contemporary dance from many regions of China, BP Parker, Jamarkus, Grupo Folklorico Citlali, the Washington Diamond Drill Team, Phenomenal She, Jet Cities Chorus, Isabel Martinez and Stuey Newton.

The event had taken a three-year pause after the most recent version, in 2020, was shared virtually during the height of the pandemic.

This year’s event included 60 vendors and came together despite the city’s Diversity Commission losing two members only a few months before the event.

Saudia Abdullah, chair of the Diversity Commission, said the event was a great chance to “quiet the noise,” and that “this is what community looks like and that’s important,” especially in a time when there is “so much talk about left versus right.”

There were plenty of activities for kids, including a bouncy house, the spray park and a variety of lawn games provided by local nonprofit We Love Our City Federal Way

Some vendors were there to sell their wares, and many others were happy for the opportunity to inform the community about resources they have to offer.

Lamont Styles of Life’s Styles Barber Academy had his chair full with those wanting a fresh look through the day. He was also a sponsor of the event.

DJ Yohiness said that “overall it was a very impactful event. It was amazing to see different generations all coming together to celebrate community.” Yohiness added that it’s “definitely something to build on and look forward to next year.”

As someone who grew up in Federal Way, Yohiness said he’s seen the city change a lot and knows it will keep changing in the future.

“It’s a city figuring out its identity,” he said, and that events like the community festival “will be a huge force that drives that change and us figuring out our identity” because putting people in the same space creates an opportunity to “spark the conversation…and when a conversation is sparked, then a plan of action happens.”

Yohiness added that growing up in Federal Way has shaped him, saying that “our diversity has shaped me to be able to be in any room,” and said “that’s something that I hold dear to my heart being from Federal Way.”

Sharon Gentry of Curves fitness said that her favorite moment was a group line dance that she started.

“I just wanted to create a shared moment with the community for everyone to come out and be together, something positive that lifts up,” she said.

If anyone is looking to brush up on their line dance moves before the next community event, Trap Lab fitness studio shared with guests to their booth at the event that they have a line dancing workshop coming up on Sept. 21. Their event will feature Royal Woman and is for all levels of dancers and will include “sips and snacks.”

Whirling skirts brightened the stage as performers from Grupo Folklorico Citlal shared their performance at the Federal Way Cultural Festival. Photo by Bruce Honda

Phenomenal She dance team takes the stage at the Federal Way Community Festival. Phenomenal She is a local nonprofit in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Every age got involved dancing and enjoying themselves at the Federal Way Community Festival. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Anna and Craig Patrick at the Federal Way Community Festival. Craig Patrick recently joined the Diversity Commission for the City of Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

There were many opportunities to play and get active at the Federal Way Community Festival, whether it was on a bike riding past the food trucks and tents or in the bouncy house or spray park. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

One round of line dancing wasn’t enough at the Federal Way Community Festival this year – the crowd finished up the event dancing again. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

DJ Yohiness was one of the main DJs for the Federal Way Community Festival this year. Here with his family Heshineah Jahseen and Kevon Richmond at the DJ booth. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Members of Happy Dance Studios and the Washington Diamond Drill Team get a photo together after performing at the Federal Way Community Festival. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror