"(Night Around the World) is free for anybody to come," said Julie Groft, coordinator of the Coordinated Health Council, an organization of Garden Spot High School (GSHS) that provides fun, educational, and healthy activities for the district. Night Around the World is an activity that introduces attendees to food, culture, and information about a large number of countries. The event is generally held every two years. It was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and it was held in 2021 as a drive-through event at GSHS.

This year, Groft said that organizers voted to hold the celebration of world cultures inside the school, 669 E. Main St., New Holland, on Thursday, May 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Area residents who attend are asked to enter through the doors at the back of the school where tickets are sold for sporting events. Activities will take place in the main cafeteria, auxiliary cafeteria, and the old gym. Arrows with a motif of the earth on them will be placed on the floor to direct visitors to different locations where they may visit stations.

"Come in and eat," said Groft, who noted foods from about 20 countries will be available in the auxiliary cafeteria. Countries represented by the cuisine will include China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, and Vietnam.

"In the main cafeteria, our exchange students are creating a 'Just Dance' video," said Groft, who noted that the program uses Wii gaming system technology. About eight students, who come from a number of countries, including Spain, Germany, and Italy, have used songs from their countries to create the program. "It will be pretty cool," said Groft, who noted that the students will also talk about their home countries and share what it has been like to be an exchange student at GSHS. A coordinator of a student exchange program will also be present to talk to attendees about what is involved in hosting an exchange student in the area.

In the old gym, games, face painting, and other activities with international flair will be held. Stations will include a virtual reality experience. "(Attendees) can choose different countries to visit at that station," said Groft. In addition, a coloring book featuring a page for each of a number of countries will be handed out to families. France, Germany, Ireland, and more countries are included, and pages bear line art of flags, maps, symbols, animals, and items related to the history of each place. Dancers from the Lancaster Liederkranz are scheduled to give demonstrations as well. The colorful flags of different countries will be on hand to view.

Groft noted that a grant from the Spartan Foundation is helping to cover food and materials for Night Around the World and that the foundation will have a display at the event.

The Health Council has up to 50 members, including select students, staff members from every school building in the ELANCO district, and a school board member. The students learn teamwork and time management as they plan and hold events including a Mini Relay For Life and fitness challenges.