HAMILTON — Organizers expect to triple the turnout at the second Multicultural Celebration in Hamilton, set for April 27.

        Last year, 900 attended the premier event organized by the city's human relations department and Miami University Hamilton. The Rev. Vaughn Lewis, director of human relations for the city and main organizer of the celebration, expects 3,000 people this year.

        “Especially with what's happened in Cincinnati in the last year, it's raised awareness of cultural issues in the Tristate,” the Rev. Mr. Lewis said.

        More than 30 vendors will be on Miami's Hamilton campus selling food, jewelry and art. About 10 organizations will staff informational booths.

        “It's definitely a family affair because there's something for everyone,” said Carole Johnson, director of public relations at Miami Hamilton. “It's a neat way to see some of the cultures that are all around us.”

        As an added incentive, she said, the celebration is free.

        The celebration will also be more “kid-friendly” this year, with face-painting and animals from the Cincinnati Zoo, the Rev. Mr. Lewis said.

        “I would like to have a two-day event, but you have to take a first step,” he said.

        Hamilton has experienced an increase in minority populations in recent years. The latest U.S. Census said the 60,000-person city was 7.6 percent African-American and 2.6 percent Hispanic. The Rev. Mr. Lewis said the Hispanic population is underestimated because of low reporting, and said the population is closer to 4.5 percent Hispanic.

        Besides African-American and Hispanic cultures, Appalachian, Chinese and Indian cultures will also be represented at the celebration.

        The Rev. Mr. Lewis got the idea after attending a similar event in Springfield, Ohio.

        “I knew that we'd never had any type of a (multicultural) festival in Hamilton,” he said. “I thought it'd be a good way to educate people about different cultures and races, in a festival atmosphere.”

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