BANGOR – People who on Saturday attended the first Fair Trade Fest sponsored by Peace through Interamerican Community Action created their own rhythms using instruments made in far-off continents, then gyrated to the beats of home-grown bands on the Bangor Waterfront.

The festival was a celebration of local and global economies that benefit all people, not just the largest corporations, according to the program. More than 40 vendors selling organic vegetables, union-made clothing, peace jewelry and items made in a sewing cooperative in Nicaragua, among other things, were sold.

Seven years after Bangor was the first city in the country to pass an ordinance encouraging the development of sweatshop-free markets, Dennis Chinoy, a longtime Bangor activist, welcomed people to the festival.

“This shows that the local and global communities can work together for the benefit of all,” he said. “Efforts like these have humanized the global economy. … So, let’s celebrate together, learn together and entertain ourselves.”

The festival drew a mix of veteran peace activists and area high school and college students as well as a number of dog owners who stopped by after participating in a fund-raiser for the local animal shelter.