On Saturday, June 30, around 1000 guests - Americans, Latvians, and representatives from other countries participated in the AmCham's annual U.S. Independence Day Picnic celebration. The festive picnic included American traditions. food, music and various activities for children. This event was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham) for the third year in the row.



The event kicked off with opening remarks by the President of AmCham Latvia Arnis Kākulis. The guests were welcomed by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, Paul Poletes, followed by a warm welcome by the Minister of Defense, Raimonds Bergmanis and a member of the Management Board of Citadele Banka, Valters Ābele. Live music was performed by the National Armed Forces Orchestra and by an aspiring jazz band Apple Express. The picnic was held at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, a sprawling landscape offering scenic views of Juglas Lake and traditional Latvian housing, which was open to the picnic guests for viewing. The venue was buzzing with guests throughout the day. 

Festivities included a wide variety of food and beverages, charity raffle, games and contests, American car exhibit, activities for children, all provided by our sponsors. Guests feasted a choice of American classics: burgers from McDonald's and Radisson Blu Hotels, hot dogs from Nathan's hotdogs among others.

In addition to various activities, 1000 EUR were raised in the charity raffle in benefit of the Latvian Foster Family Association, RMHC Latvija Care Mobile  and SOS Children's Villages Latvia - organizations striving to promote a healthy development of children and youth and family-based care for the children left without parents. The charity raffle was supported by the national airline airBaltic, the World Federation of Free Latvians and the main sponsor of the event Citadele Banka. 

The picnic sponsors were encouraged to think outside the box when providing activities to put on at the event. Picnic guests had the opportunity to take part in science experiments with Zinoo, American car exhibit and much more. 

The 2018 U.S. Independence Day Picnic Celebration was made possible in part by its primary sponsor:

Thomas Jefferson level sponsors:

     

Abraham Lincoln level sponsors: 

In-kind sponsors:  

Supporters:

          

Jānis Meija 
Baltic Technology Group 

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