THREE GENERATIONS OF HERRING FAMILY
IS FOCUS OF 2010 MIF AD CAMPAIGN

“Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me …” sung by MIF Children’s Chorus is the song that reminds Mary Richel-Herring of the meaning of Mobile International Festival to her and everyone whose life has been touched by the annual event since 1983. Mary Herring, who was born in Belgium and came to Mobile in 1959, has held two positions as Entertainment and Promotions Chair and was vice-president under the presidency of Dr. Annelle Jerome (Mama “J”), the MIF founder. She used to have the Belgian cultural exhibits with the help from the Belgian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Belgian Consulate in Atlanta. At that time, she received an invitation to attend the French Festival in Lafayette, LA. She had the honor to meet the future King of Belgium, Prince Philippe, who was attending the festival incognito with members of the Belgian diplomatic corps.

Mary was a war bride. She married Jess Herring, “a cute soldier” from Alabama as she described their first meeting, who was brought home by Mary’s father to recuperate from wounds received at the “Battle of the Remagen Bridge”, over the Rhine River in Germany. He was camping next to her father’s office. Jess received the Bronze Star for this brave encounter. From Belgium, Jess brought back Mary to USA in 1947. They had two children, Colette, internationally and classically trained ballet dancer who also used to bring her students to dance at the festival, and Charly, who is a USAF Reservist and works in Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. Jess and Mary have been married for 63 years and she is looking forward to her 65th!

Charly and his wife, Karen, adopted their first daughter, Kari, from China. They decided to adopt another girl from China with a special-need. Jessica arrived in Mobile dressed in her cute Chinese outfit. The Shriners heard of Jessica and they immediately sent her to Texas for the needed treatment that was successful. Kari and Jessica were brought to the festival as participants immediately soon after. They were like two Chinese dolls. To this day, these two are active participants volunteering their time and singing with the MIF Children’s Chorus. Mary, together with Charly, carries proudly the Belgian flag and country sign during the Parade of Flags.

In an application to a leadership school in Birmingham, Kari Herring writes: “The most influential activity I have participated in is also the most constant. I am still participating in this activity to this day, and probably will for years to come. I have worked in a local festival to celebrate my Chinese heritage and other countries for around 12 years. It is an exciting and colorful experience that I will always remember as a huge part of my childhood. Mobile International Festival gives me a chance to experience part of my country that I, as an adoptee, have not been able to live. It is a huge part of my life, and extremely important to me.

“Every year, I work early to get things prepared for the students that come to our festival. I also participate in the children’s chorus, and help out at a variety of booths for other countries. I have met many, many people who have made my life richer, and helped me in many ways – from moral support to a warm meal. I will never forget my experiences at the Mobile International Festival. It has made me a more worldly, cultural person, than most people of my age, and I will always owe that to them.”

What Kari wrote above is what she feels in her heart. The family has come full circle in their involvement in the festival – from grandparents to parents to children – Belgium to America and China to America. The picture chosen as the focus of the 2010 ad campaign says it all. It represents the simple meaning of the festival – peace and unity – all found in Mobile International Festival!