THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 14, 2025 Page 5 A signature moment for the Saugus Cultural Council Members have spent months planning the town’s fi rstever Saugus Cultural Festival – a celebration of the community’s diversity By Mark E. Vogler E ver since its existence, the Saugus Cultural Council has been known as the volunteer agency that awards grants annually to local organizations and individuals in the arts and humanities to enhance the quality of life for town residents. Several members are hoping that the upcoming and first-ever Saugus Cultural Festival will become an annual signature event for the council – one that will bring the community together by spotlighting the diversity of Saugus residents. “I am passionate about using various art forms to bring the community closer and celebrate diversity,” Nive Amarnath told The Saugus Advocate this week, following the council’s planning meeting for the Saugus Cultural Festival, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saugus Middle High School. “This was the driving force to join the council and this is what I hope we achieve through this festival. We are truly looking forward to this cultural celebration to become an annual event for our community,” she said. Amarnath has been a Saugus resident since 2010 and a member of the Saugus Cultural Council since 2023. A town of 25 different languages It was former School Committee member Joseph “Dennis” Gould who first suggested the idea of a Saugus Cultural Festival early last year. “I have been impressed with the diversity of Saugus residents being able to speak 25 different languages and have been a strong supporter of the arts in Saugus in general, but CULTURAL COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 11 EVENT ORGANIZERS: Members of the Saugus Cultural Council and several other volunteers met Monday in the Saugus Public Library to continue planning for the fi rst Saugus Cultural Festival – set for Feb. 23. Pictured from left to right: Front row: Vanessa LeFevre, council secretary; Nive Amarnath, council treasurer; Victoria “Tori” Darnell, council co-chair; and Vanessa Dellheim, council member; second row: Yoela Similien, youth member; Shelbi Edwards, volunteer; Kayla Villefranche, youth member; and Joseph “Dennis” Gould, council co-chair. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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