Federal Way Memorial Stadium was bursting with the sights and sounds of soccer enthusiasts and the vibrant red, yellow and green of the Ethiopian flag for the weeklong 42nd annual tournament.

The Ethiopian Sports Federation of North America (ESFNA) held their event in Federal Way from June 28 to July 5.

The total number of attendees was equal to around half the population of the entire city of Federal Way, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 guests, according to the organizers.

The event brought people from all over the United States, Canada and beyond to Federal Way to cheer on soccer players and to connect with Ethiopian culture and community.

After a week of soccer games, July 4 was reserved for a pure celebration of culture. Attendees showed off traditional garments and cultural pride as the colors of the Ethiopian flag burst from every accessory.

ESFNA attendees were drawn to the event for many reasons — some for love of soccer, some to raise awareness through their nonprofit and some to share their faith. But the main reason was to enjoy the gathering of so many members of the Ethiopian diaspora in one place.

Another attendee from Seattle who runs Wasi Seattle Entertainment shared that he appreciated the event for the opportunity to connect with the community, and even ran into a childhood friend that he had not seen for 20 years.

Attendee Fruit Abreha told the Mirror she had come to Federal Way from St. Louis, Missouri, for the event, seeing it as an opportunity to share her faith.

The finale of the event was in the championship games on Saturday and an event in Seattle.

In the final Division 2 game, Las Vegas beat Ohio, and Seattle-based teams went head to head after rising to the top of the Division 1 bracket, with Seattle Baro ultimately beating Seattle Dashen.

Seattle Baro also won in 2018 and in 2019. Seattle Dashen’s championship years include 1991 and 1995.

Live music and DJs kept the energy high throughout the tournament, but the real treat of the final evening included performances by Kuku Sebsibe, Tsehaye Yohannes, Lij Michael and Aregahegn Worash.

Each year, ESFNA also invites individuals that have excelled in sports in Ethiopia in the past as well as Ethiopians in the social and art fields, according to their website. This year’s guests included Kasahun Gebrehiwot and Zenebe Argaw (Volvo).

At the Federal Way City Council meeting on July 1, Councilmember Susan Honda celebrated the tournament, but spoke to wishing the city had done a better job welcoming people.

“I am a little disappointed that the city of Federal Way hasn’t gone all out to welcome this event to our city,” Honda said. In hindsight, she said she wishes the city had installed “banners welcoming people” and that the city would have “let the businesses know that this was coming.”

As far as the event itself, Honda said, “on Sunday my husband and I walked through the Ethiopian soccer cultural event” and that though “it wasn’t fully open,” it was “really really cool.”

Guests at the ESFNA soccer tournament and cultural festival included all ages, from youth to elders as the Ethiopian diaspora gathered in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The Ethiopian flag was everywhere at the ESFNA soccer tournament, especially on July 4 when the no matches were scheduled and the focus was on culture and community. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Vendors included not only those selling food and merchandise, but also nonprofit organizations. At Eyob Hope for Children and Youth, they raise money to help those affected by a rare heart condition, both in the United States and in Ethiopia. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

DJs and live music got people dancing at the 42nd annual ESFNA soccer tournament and cultural festival in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Event organizers estimate that 40,000 to 50,000 guests in total attended the week-long soccer tournament and cultural festival. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Fruit Abreha traveled all the way to Federal Way from St. Louis, Missouri, for the ESFNA soccer tournament and cultural festival. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The 42nd annual ESFNA tournament and festival featured many different vendors, with plenty of tournament merchandise and ways to show cultural pride. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror