MISSOULA — Soft Landings Welcome Week kicks off on Friday but much like everything else in the world, this year's event will look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year's event has been moved to a digital format with a couple of events still happening in person.
"It's actually kind of exciting because we can reach a bigger audience," Soft Landing Executive Director Mary Poole said.
Poole said that one event they are extremely excited for is the virtual cooking class with an Afghani cook making an Afghani favorite Kabuli Pulao.
"Chef Farida, shes from Afghanistan and she is really excited. We are going to get a translator for that virtual cooking class cause she really wants to share. She is excited to tell all about Afghan culture -- especially [the] dish of Kabuli Pulao -- which is the national dish of Afghanistan," Poole said.
The organization's soccer tournament is usually a big draw for the week but due to social distancing restrictions, this year will have a free-kick shootout instead.
One event that was canceled was the Eritrean coffee ceremony which Poole said wasn’t able to be replicated in a virtual form, "we didn't really feel you could do that virtually and get the same feel."
Poole also said she is thankful for the sponsors who helped make the virtual event possible including the International Rescue Committee, the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, the Headwaters Foundation, Community Medical Center and others.
Click here to view a schedule of events.
