The Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Committee (VCDC) is spreading a message of unity and inclusion this month with two cultural celebrations happening on the same day across Camden and Burlington counties.
The committee will have a presence at both the Philippine Independence Fiesta 2025 in Cherry Hill and the annual South Jersey Eid-al-Adha Festival in Mount Laurel, both on Saturday. The events are free.
The fiesta will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cooper River Park to celebrate the Philippines’ rich heritage and commemorate its declaration of independence from Spanish rule. Hosted at the Jose Rizal Monument and Bataan Death March Shrine, it will feature cultural performances, children’s games, a patriotic program and Filipino cuisine.
The Eid-al-Adha Festival, scheduled for 2 to 7 p.m. at Laurel Acres Park, will include carnival activities, a petting zoo, face painting, sales and cultural performances to mark the Islamic holiday celebrated by millions around the world.
Lisa Witherspoon, secretary of the Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Committee, said participating in both events is part of the group’s larger mission of celebrating multiculturalism and fostering inclusion across South Jersey.
“VCDC is very involved in the community as well as networking outside of Voorhees,” Witherspoon noted. “Not only are we diverse within our committee, we also involve ourselves in every cultural diversity festival, celebration, activity, or event we can, not only to show our appreciation within other cultures, but also to learn about them and celebrate alongside them.”
The committee will host an information table at each event to engage with guests, promote cultural understanding and invite residents to get involved in future initiatives.
“Events like these are incredibly important to us,” Witherspoon explained. “They reflect the vibrant diversity of our region and give people a chance to share stories, food, dance and traditions. It’s about building bridges and celebrating our differences while realizing we all belong to the human race.”
The committee’s message is clear: South Jersey’s cultural mosaic is something to be respected and embraced.
“Our message is to love the melting pot of all cultures, respect them, and learn from them,” Witherspoon offered. “We may be culturally diverse through our food, dance, clothes, or religion, but we all belong to the human race and can relate through embracing those differences.”
