Auburn came together Sunday to celebrate the community’s distinctiveness with a blend of song and dance, storytelling and history.

Uniquely Auburn, a free community-sponsored festival, recognized the city’s cultural diversity, interesting people, places and events at the Performing Arts Center.

The program included: Uniquely Auburn, “Late Night with Michael Hursh”; house band Slaughter, featuring Dave Hoskin and Jim Char; top 10 lists; “unique” Auburn-related commercials; the Holy Family School fifth-grade choir; the Ukrainian Church Band; Miss Auburn Daniela Ferrell on piano; Auburn’s inaugural poet laureate, Dick Brugger; Miss Auburn Outstanding Teen 2011 and rhythmic gymnast Naomi Moore; Native American crafts; art and poetry exhibit; Striped Water poets; and Liz Keeley performing “God Bless America”.

A complimentary “sit-down” dinner followed the program in the theater.

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Soroptimist International of Auburn, City of Auburn Arts Commission, Auburn School District, and Trillium sponsored the 17th annual event.