COEUR d'ALENE - Ireland was smack next to Iran.

Bolivia and Norway were neighbors, too.

There was country music, rock and roll and a bit of African drumming.

Jugglers and gymnastics shared the spotlight.

And you could enjoy a good old hot dog, teriyaki chicken, or taco.

It was all under one roof Saturday at Lakes Magnet Middle School for the third annual Multicultural Faire and music festival.

"It's beautiful," said Andy Day, whose son Josh Day, 15, played the piano and sang.

As an estimated 1,200 attended the four-hour celebration of cultural diversity that included representatives of about 40 countries.

"We have people from all around the world who actually live in the Coeur d'Alene area," said organizer and Lakes teacher Dave Eubanks.

Those who set up booths shared tales and treasures from their culture. Artifacts, maps, books and pictures were set out, along with food samples, cookies and candies that highlighted country's customs.

Shay Hannigan-Luther, a 14-year-old Lake City High School student, joined mom Kris and brother Ben behind the Bolivia booth. The family recently lived there a year, then returned to Coeur d'Alene.

"It's very different," Shay said. "Down there, there's a lot more poverty. The people are so different from up here."

Eubanks said one goal is to let local students see that the rest of the world is not like North Idaho.

"We all are still people, moms and dads and brothers and sisters," he said, smiling. "We just have a different ways of looking at things."

The music lineup featured the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department's Pipe and Drum Corps, North Idaho Scottish Fiddlers, the Texas Roadhouse line dancers and the Sorensen African Drumming students.

Spotlighted countries including Italy, Zambia, India and France.

Eubanks said the turnout was the best yet. Students, teachers and parents rallied behind the program.

"It's fun, it's entertaining and it's painlessly educational," he said.