Welcoming Week

Logo Design by Kai Newton, WWU Student

Overview 

The annual Issaquah Welcomes You event returns Sept. 12-20! Past years have seen festivities including world dance exhibits, photo booths, educational seminars, book readings and culturally diverse food trucks. This year, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are adjusting to a primarily online version of Welcoming Week. Thanks to all those volunteers who helped put this year’s unique event together! 

Background 

Welcoming Week is a national event when a chorus of thousands—in communities large and small, rural and urban—celebrate the benefits of an inclusive society and deepen their commitment to creating places that are welcoming to everyone, including immigrants, refugees and those who have been systemically excluded.   

Events

  • Eastside Mayors' Joint Proclamation
  • Welcome To Issaquah – Sept. 12-15 
    • Share an image of what welcoming means to you! Take a picture with a welcoming sign, or a drawing, collage, or message that represents welcoming, diversity and inclusion. 
    • Post images to Twitter or Instagram using #IssyWelcomesYou. 
  • All Are Welcome Family Story Stroll – Sept. 12-20 
    • Bring your mask and take an interactive walk through downtown Issaquah to uncover the pages of Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman’s book All Are Welcome. 
    • Follow the route using this Google map. 
  • National Welcoming Week Livestream Event – Sept. 12 @ 12PM 
    • Join this free livestream event sponsored by Welcoming America featuring exciting music, dance performances, inspiring personal stories and more!
  • Mariachi, Dance & Margaritas Watch Party via Zoom – Sept. 17 @ 7-8PM 

  • Cultural Panel via Zoom – Sept. 18 @ 12-1:30PM 


  • Explore Issaquah's past and present through the eyes of people of color and immigrants in our community. Join us as we hear how Issaquah’s history has impacted the present and share ideas for working together as a community to make everyone feel welcome.

  • Youth Cultural Panel via Zoom – Sept. 19 @ 3-4PM 

    • Hear the experience of local youth who have immigrated to Issaquah – their backgrounds, challenges and perspectives on what we all can do to be welcoming. 

Past Events