One of the highlights of my day at the Hampton Egyptian Festival was taking part in the dramatic 'Walk of the Queen.' I portrayed one of her close friends, wearing a crown adorned with the uraeus—the iconic cobra symbol of ancient Egypt. In that moment, I could have been embodying a goddess like Wadjet, the legendary cobra goddess of protection and royalty. It was an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and fun.

Pirates at Hampton City Council.

César Carbajal is a third-generation Mexican artist renowned for his mastery of popotillo, a traditional Aztec straw art technique. This intricate method involves embedding dyed straw into warm beeswax to create vivid, textured images. Carbajal uses natural dyes extracted from plants and vegetables, often soaking the straw in agave juice (aguamiel), staying true to the traditions passed down through generations.