AUGUSTA, Maine — Pride and tea were on full display at the State House in Augusta.
The Annual Tea Celebrating Deaf Culture was held for its 33rd year on Thursday. It's a chance for Maine's Deaf community to highlight the people and businesses that have made a difference.
The tea kicks off Deaf Awareness Week which has been recognized since 1991.
"There's no feeling of it's lesser than, we're proud of our culture," Terry Morrell, director for the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened for the Maine Department of Labor, said.
Morrell also mentioned the community's resilience despite still facing challenges in areas like the workplace.
"The deaf community in our state has its own rich language, culture, history, and traditions," Maine Gov. Janet Mills said in a prerecorded video that played at the event.
As part of Deaf Awareness Week, a festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, on Mackworth Island in Falmouth. It will feature food, art, crafts, and more.