Brockport's annual Bienvenida, or welcome, celebration for hundreds of migrant farm workers who have arrived to start the farming season will be held Sunday, June 24.

Events begin with Mass at the Nativity Church, 152 Main Street, at 1:30 p.m. Following the Mass, a procession down Main Street will end at the First Baptist Church, 124 Main Street, where a dinner will be held at 3 p.m. From 5 to 8 p.m., a dance will take place at the SUNY Brockport Tower of Fine Arts building on Holley Street.

"It's a day for building bridges and relationships, as well as awareness and appreciation for the farm workers contribution to the welfare and economy of this area," said Sister Beverly Baker of the Brockport Migrant Education Project. "They are often forgotten or, sadly, discriminated against."

The Migrant Education Project works with the Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee (BEOC), an alliance of most of the Brockport churches, to create the event with support of local businesses. The event continues a 20-year tradition.

Barbara Deming, Chair of the BEOC, urges individuals in the community to help with the welcome. "We would love to have community residents show support by just attending," Deming said. "We welcome practical support in the form of donated salads or desserts, photography skills, or decorating, cooking and serving at the dinner." Deming added that citizens can continue the spirit of the event by being aware and appreciative of the hardships of the farm workers and their contribution to the community.

"There is fear on both sides," Deming says about the presence of a different population in the area. "We can reduce the tension in part by just saying 'hello' when we meet the Latinos in our daily activity."

For more information or to volunteer, phone Barbara Deming at 637-7504