Sports, food and culture brought together some of the largest multicultural communities in Cleveland last Saturday when the City of Cleveland hosted the 2024 International Cultural Community BBQ at the Michael J. Zone Recreation Center on Lorain Avenue. 

The city provided free hot dogs, cotton candy, chips, and drinks for the kids, and set up a play area with multiple bounce castles in the back of the park. Asian and Latin American dance and music filled the pavilion at the rec center. 

The event also played host to two sport tournaments featuring teams made up of members of various local diaspora communities. The baseball and soccer teams represented nations like Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, and are owned and run by members of the communities they come from, often family and friends. The leagues play weekly during summer at parks and rec centers all around Cleveland.       

Friends and family originally from Puerto Rico enjoy a game of dominoes, a favorite pastime on the island.
Friends and family originally from Puerto Rico enjoy a game of dominoes, a favorite pastime on the island. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Fallon Royko of West Park said she came here just to hang out in the shade and wait for humans to drop food onto the grass.
Fallon Royko of West Park said she came here just to hang out in the shade and wait for humans to drop food onto the grass. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Asian dancers perform in the pavilion at the Michael J. Zone rec center.
Asian dancers perform in the pavilion at the Michael J. Zone rec center. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Alfredo Serrano (right) showing off his bike to attendees at the event. Serrano was diagnosed with two types of cancer last year, and decided to build the bike as a way to keep himself busy while undergoing treatment. The same time he finished treatment, he also finished rebuilding the bike.
Alfredo Serrano (right) showing off his bike to attendees at the event. Serrano was diagnosed with two types of cancer last year, and decided to build the bike as a way to keep himself busy while undergoing treatment. The same time he finished treatment, he also finished rebuilding the bike. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Mexican churros from Paisano’s food truck. These lovely specimens are filled with strawberry jam and topped off with chocolate sauce. This must be what Heaven looks like.
Mexican churros from Paisano’s food truck. These lovely specimens are filled with strawberry jam and topped off with chocolate sauce. This must be what Heaven looks like. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Guatemala manager Hector Lopez walks his players through a substitution.
Guatemala manager Hector Lopez walks his players through a substitution. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
The futbol tournament featured six local diaspora teams representing Latin-American nations like Peru and Honduras. The teams are all privately owned and run by members of the communities they represent.
The futbol tournament featured six local diaspora teams representing Latin-American nations like Peru and Honduras. The teams are all privately owned and run by members of the communities they represent. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Safe at home: a player from Los Tigres scores a run against Los Lobos in the final game of the baseball tournament.
Safe at home: a player from Los Tigres scores a run against Los Lobos in the final game of the baseball tournament. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Cleveland baseball team Los Lobos, or “The Wolves,” with the trophy they just won at the baseball tournament. The baseball teams play weekly at parks and rec centers all around the city, packing the stands with family and friends.
Cleveland baseball team Los Lobos, or “The Wolves,” with the trophy they just won at the baseball tournament. The baseball teams play weekly at parks and rec centers all around the city, packing the stands with family and friends. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Signal Cleveland
Signal background

Audio Producer (she/her)
I create audio stories meant to engage and inform people in a way that pushes beyond media stereotypes. I aim to build trust between local media and the community, striving to teach people “how” to think about life in Cleveland, not “what” to think.