BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A fairly new group, the North Dakota Polynesian Cultural Club, hosted its first Pacific Island, Asian, Arts and Culture Festival, or PAC Fest for short.

The North Dakota Polynesian Club invited the public to come eat cultural food, watch performances of cultural dances and listen to special speakers at Lord of Life Lutheran Church.

Event organizer, DJ Lamyuen, says he hopes to bring attention to his community.

“The goal and the mission is to bring awareness to our Pacific Islander and Asian heritage,” said Lamyuen.

The performances featured included the Bismarck YMCA belly dancers and traditional Indian dances, celebrating the different ways of life that make the Pacific Islands and Asia diverse. But, the group welcomed everyone from any background to join the celebration.

“That’s all that matters, that we can enjoy each other and different cultures by food, by music, by dance, and that’s all that matters in today’s society,” said Moses Timaly, member of the North Dakota Polynesian Club.

The hope is that this event, and the club, can create a sentiment of unity between the people of Bismarck-Mandan, regardless of where they’re from.

“Not a lot of people out here have resources or friend groups, so this is like an opportunity to kind of get together and know your neighbors and know the community,” said Lamyuen.

A “Best Dressed” Award was also given to whoever wore their cultural regalia or traditional clothing the best.

The group also enjoys working with a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as Bismarck Global Neighbors.

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