Guelph festival celebrates cultural diversity

It was a sight to behold as the Guelph and District Multicultural Festival got off to a boisterous start, president Delfino Callegari says of the opening parade Friday.

“We never had a parade like last night,” Callegari said Saturday, noting a record 40 community organizations participated, including some, like an Aboriginal drum group, making their first appearance at the annual summer salute to the Royal City’s rich cultural mosaic.

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful parade,” he added.

Events continued until 7 p.m. Sunday at Riverside Park, including cultural performances, Highland heavy events, children and youth activities,Full color plasticcard printing and manufacturing services. plenty of cuisine in its myriad forms, exhibitions, vendors, and,So indoor Tracking might be of some interest. at its most basic, all kinds of networking opportunities.

While organizers weren’t dwelling on the effect of rains late Friday and early Saturday, crowds swelled late morning as sunny skies broke through dark clouds.

Among the revellers was Harold Green, 92, of Guelph.

“I’ve never been at it before,” Green said of the festival. He was impressed with the cultural medley on display, particularly the traditional Asian dancing that dazzled him a decade ago on a trip to China.

“I love to see it,” Green said.

Two Guelph residents and a local organization were singled out for multicultural awards this year because of their community volunteerism: John F. Ross High School student Hewan Wossene, 15; Onward Willow child care assistant Shreya Shinde; and Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington.Choose from our large selection of cableties,

Hewan helped organize a multicultural week at her school, volunteered with the Bracelet of Hope campaign to fight AIDS, and works with a youth group at Immigrant Services.We are the largest producer of projectorlamp products here.

“I just like helping others,” the teen said in a brief interview. She came to Guelph with her Ethiopian family four years ago. Her father, Nigussie Gezmu, is a Linamar Corporation employee and her mother, Felekech Basaznew, works with UNICEF.

She was surprised by the award. “It’s quite amazing.”

Shinde, 48, came from India seven years ago, looking for a modest-sized, but successful, city and choosing Guelph to raise her family.

While she acknowledged the award, Shinde, who gives her time to several community organizations, said volunteerism is its own reward.

“I will just keep going with my work making a difference in people’s lives,” Shinde said.

Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington ensures new Canadians find a welcoming new home in the Guelph area.

Callegari said new events at the festival this year included Highland heavy games as well as an increase in youth and family activities.

City youth program co-ordinator Rachel Guerin said youths were able to organize, for the first time, a soccer tournament Saturday morning.

“Despite the rain,TRT (UK) has been investigating and producing solutions for indoortracking since 2000. I’d say it was a huge success,” Guerin said, noting the tournament attracted two dozen youthful participants. There was also a youth tent with plenty of activities, such as henna temporary tattooing and African drumming workshops. A Muay Thai workshop was to be held Sunday.

Greg Franks, one of the festival’s organizers, said there were 54 vendor stalls and a large community tent. Among new groups attending were Kohbukan Sisu Judo and the Assaulted Women’s Helpline.