GLENDALE, Calif. — Hundreds of people packed the Glendale YMCA gymnasium this weekend to celebrate culture, connection and community at the annual “Celebrate YOUniqueness” event.
The event, which began in 2023, is a collaboration between the YMCA and ethnic groups across the region. Organizers say it has grown steadily each year, drawing larger and more diverse crowds.
This year, six cultural groups took part in the celebration, showcasing performances, food and art that reflect the area’s rich cultural makeup. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore arts and crafts and sample cuisine from a variety of traditions.
“We’re excited to bring the community together,” said Edith Fuentes, a board member and co-chair of the event. “You see the diversity of the attendees. We’ll have 800 to 1,000 this year. They come and go. They come and go. We have arts and crafts and different food from different ethnic groups.”
The event is free and open to the public, making it accessible to families and individuals throughout the community.
Fuentes, who helped name the event, said the goal is to highlight what makes each person unique.
“Actually, I came up with the name of the event,” Fuentes said. “We call it Celebrate YOUniqueness because each and every one of us is unique. We wanted to recognize and celebrate our diversity.”
Organizers say they hope the event will continue to grow in the coming years as more groups and community members get involved.
The YMCA has been serving communities for more than a century — including here in Glendale, where it’s been a local hub since the 1920s.
