2008 FESTIVAL REPORT
All board members and volunteers should be extremely proud of the huge success of the festival. The Old Firehall venue at the end of the Main Street was a good location, and the staff were absolutely amazing in helping out with anything we needed to set things up, as well as giving very good advice when it came to the planning and set up.
On Friday, August 1st, we hosted a very nice craft fair with seven different crafters of different ethnic backgrounds selling their beautiful hand made producsts.
As well, Ms. Kim Dinh put together a very elaborate, well decorated tea house and setting for a traditional tea ceremony that was combined as a workshop to educate visitors about the culture of tea in the Orient. This included a video presentation with photos and educational tools of the different areas where tea is grown in the Orient.
On Saturday, Aug. 2nd the local Midnight Sun Pipe Band led 33 different countries in a Grand March Parade from the Tourism Visitor Reception Centre to the Old Firehall venue located at the end of Main Street. Many of the parade participants were carrying the flags of their country and were dressed in traditional dress, making the parade look very beautiful, with about 100 people in the parade.
Once they arrived at the Old Firehall venue, there was an Opening Ceremonies with dignitaries from Tourism, the City, and the First Nations. Afterwards the patrons enjoyed an amazing fashion show. There were 109 models, including many children, gathered together to showcase clothing from all different countries. This was a fabulous event, and included music that pertained to each country as well.
On Sunday the public really came out of the woodwork and supported the food and entertainment portion of the festival, purchasing a total of 2,600 food tokens. Ten different countries sold ethnic food, and there was excellent entertainment featuring people of different cultural backgrounds. The weather was great, and many people came to the event. By the end of the day there were only two countries that had food left, and everyone enjoyed the comraderie and food and fellowship.
