The new Team Hill Diversity Council will bring together representatives of all of Hill AFB’s annual special observances in one place (Centennial Park) and on one date (Saturday, Aug. 20) to celebrate and learn more about the base’s unique community and diversity.

Dubbed the Diversity Festival, the event will feature food, entertainment, cultural presentations and informational booths from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., for everyone with access to the base.

Those attending will be given passports to be stamped while visiting information booths on the 10 special observances the base recognizes each year. These are:

• Martin Luther King, Jr (3rd Monday of January)

• African American History Month (February)

• Women’s History Month (March)

• Holocaust Remembrance Day/Holocaust Days of Remembrance (April/May)

• Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (June)

• Women’s Equality Day (26 August)

• Hispanic American Heritage Month (15 September to 15 October)

• National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October)

• American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month (November)

“This will give guests the opportunity to stop by each booth and learn facts about each special observance, especially if they are unable to attend during the month it is being observed and celebrated,” said Irene Jones, Team Hill Diversity Council chair. “We hope this event will encourage people to participate and get them involved in volunteering and attending future council events.”

The Team Hill Diversity Council was formed in the fall of 2015. The group’s purpose is to enhance cross-cultural awareness and to promote diversity among all military members, civilian employees, family members and retirees. The council is open to everyone with access to the base and meets every third Wednesday of each month, 2-3 p.m., in Bldg. 460.

Jones said this first-of-its-kind Diversity Festival is being held on a Saturday in the hope that base people and their families will attend.

“We want to nuture a safe and positive environment for everyone at Hill,” she said, “I encourage everyone to come out and listen, ask questions and enjoy the music, the food and our guest speakers.

“We want everyone to go away able to have an educated conversation with friends, family, and especially their children, about each special observance.”