LEWISTON — The Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lewiston-Auburn World Refugee Day celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Simard-Payne Memorial Park.

World Refugee Day is a global event and a time to celebrate the rich cultures in Lewiston and Auburn. Every year, Maine welcomes refugees from countries around the world and helps safely rebuild their lives.

The event honors the courage and struggles of the more than 15 million refugees worldwide displaced by war and persecution.

This year’s celebration includes food, performances, games, music and other festivities.

The World Refugee Day Committee is a demonstration of L/A’s diversity, with many agencies collaborating for the cause. Committee members are the city of Auburn, Advocates for Children, Auburn Police Department, Bates College, Catholic Charities, the city of Lewiston, Chamber of Commerce, Department of Corrections Disproportionate Minority Contact Division, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Multicultural Affairs, Health Affiliates, Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, The Root Cellar, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston Police Department, Youth Move and YWCA.

The WRD Planning Committee is chaired by Fatuma Hussein, director of Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, formerly known as United Somali Women, and Joel Furrow, director of The Root Cellar.

Those wishing to make financial donations as corporate sponsors or individuals may email [email protected].