FOLKLORE FESTIVAL 2018 PRESS RELEASE

For: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 6th, 2018

Contacts: Michelle Lander-McKenzie, Folklore Festival Coordinator

(623-5471) Cell 474-6702

Jeanetty Jumah, Chair, Promotions (622-3710) jjumah@gmail.com

THE 45^th FOLKLORE FESTIVAL A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

Folklore Festival 2018 was a resounding success with over 14,000 people travelling the World in 48 Hours right here in Thunder Bay.

The bustling crowd enjoyed 19 International Food Booths plus the TBMA Liquor Booth, the talented performers who graced the Entertainment on the Main Stage, a Children’s Area packed with all free activities, superb exhibits, “shop-the-world” booths, Goodwill Ambassadors, and artists. Feature Entertainers, Café Paris - Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet whisked visitors off to Paris and beyond on Saturday night.

The enchanting and lively Opening Ceremonies, the “Parade of Nations” featured performances from areas all over the world including the amazing Munzeroy doing a fast traditional First Nations Grass Dance, the high-kicking Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers, the high-flying Zorya Ukrainian Dance Association, beautiful performances from India, and so much more.

Happy face-painted children joined in the dancing off stage, while other visitors shopped the world and viewed the exhibits, and artist displays. Truly moving was the “Putting Thoughts to Canvas” Art Project with the theme Reconciliation created by 16 students working together from the Lakehead Public Schools four High Schools one snowy Sunday, led by Keith Ailey Superior CVI Art Teacher.

The packed Entertainment Schedule allowed visitors to travel the world with the Morgan School of Highland Dancing, a Borneo Dayak Dancer, the Kiikurit Finnish Folk Dancers, adorable little Portuguese Folklore Dancers as young as 2, the Lakehead Chinese Folk Music Group, hot Latin Panamania dancers, and discover the beauty of performances from all over the world.

Temptations in the packed Food Court Area, drew visitors to Slovak cabbage rolls, authentic Indian curries, Italian gnocchi, freshly made Bannock, Greek salads, African goat curry, Finnish pancakes, and tempting Mediterranean delights. Not surprising were the huge number of visitors carrying takeout bags with authentic foods of the World as well.

Folklore Festival celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Canada letting visitors experience the magnificent sights, sounds and flavours woven into the fabric of our country by our various ethnocultural and Aboriginal communities. Respect, awe, and appreciation were clearly shown as people from all backgrounds stood together enjoying the wonder that is Folklore Festival.

The winner of the free Stay-Cation Draw was L. Kohli and family of Thunder Bay.

A big thank you to all the visitors, sponsors, the local media for their support, entertainers, Food Booth groups, exhibitors, artists, ambassadors, the Folklore Festival Committee and our wonderful volunteers who helped to make Folklore Festival 2018 a tremendous success. We look forward to our 46^th Folklore on May 4-5, 2019.