The Thunder Bay Multicultural
Association
presents
A WORLD TOUR OF NATIONS
(Admission prices currently under review depending on
funding and expenses)
“Travel the World in 48 Hours” at the 51st
Folklore Festival 2024, May 4th and May 5th at the Fort William Gardens and
Curling Club in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada presented by the Thunder Bay
Multicultural Association. Tantalizing international foods, incredible
entertainment, “shop-the-world” booths, exhibits, an activity-packed Children’s
Area, and local artists on site await you. The Region’s most colourful event of
the year will take visitors on a “Trip Around the World” in two fun-filled days
allowing them to experience the magnificent sights, sounds and flavours woven
into the fabric of our country by our various ethnocultural and Indigenous
communities. We are proud to celebrate our 51st
Folklore Festival and the rich cultural heritages that make Canada one of the
greatest and most diverse nations on our planet.
The Festival showcases the rich cultural
heritage of Thunder Bay. More than 20 regions of the world are represented by
no less than 40 different ethnocultural and Indigenous groups. Arriving
visitors are greeted by Goodwill Ambassadors in traditional costumes and the
majestic fanfare of flags of the World waving above the arena, leading to our
Folklore Festival Main Stage, the largest in Thunder Bay, where culture and
traditions will be brought to life in full and intricate colour and excitement. In the hours and days that follow, many
hearts will be stolen during performances by junior groups like the little Le
Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers, and Morgan’s School of Highland Dancing. The
richness of our First Nations people will be shared with visitors through
impressive and meaningful dances. You are sure to feel the rejuvenation of your
own youth as you enjoy presentations by the Chaban, and Zorya Ukrainian Dance
companies. The Filipino Canadian Association of Thunder Bay will bring the
lively Tinikling dance, and the Karen Community will bring their traditional
performance to enchant visitors. Thunder Bay World Dance Collective will bring
the Flamenco and Bollywood. You will marvel at the resounding sounds of The Pipes
and Drums of Thunder Bay and the hot salsa dancing with Karim Y Nady. Let us will
take you on a journey around the world and these are only SOME of the
incredible entertainers who will grace the Festival Stage. (*All Entertainers
subject to change.)
Displays and exhibits circle the stage and
surrounding areas allowing visitors to “shop the World” and see traditions come
alive as they view costumes, artifacts, video displays, visual artists on site,
and meet the people who proudly share Canada’s heritages. Local artists will
share their works of art, and exhibitors will have treasures from many parts of
the World for visitors to purchase and take home. Children can enjoy the “Cinco
de Mayo” themed activity-packed Children’s Area featuring all FREE activities
(running 12 to 6pm Daily) and a free Children’s Inflatable (AKA Bouncy Castle)
courtesy of Tbaytel.
Tantalizing aromas will call visitors to the Curling
Club with the temptations of Indian curries, Slovak cabbage rolls, and Cajun
Fuzion’s Jambalaya. Visitors can enjoy Lebanese. Mediterranean foods, Canadian
treats from Epic Cones Thunder Bay, or try Burmese cuisine, just a few of the
many culinary delights visitors savoured in the Food Booth area, along with traditional
favourites from The Bannock Lady, Chinese and Caribbean cuisine and so much more.
Visitors can top all of this off with a glass of imported wine, a Red Stripe
beer, an Espresso, or a host of international favourites. Again, visitors will
have just time enough to gather together their exotic feast before heading back
to the main stage area to experience the amazing leaps of the Ukrainian dance
ensembles, the incredible talents of entertainers of all ages and the wonder
that is Folklore Festival.
Once
again Saturday Night will have our Feature Entertainers, the HOT
Latin Band, Descarga Latina, from Winnipeg will heat up the stage with salsas,
and Latin dances, taking the Main Stage from
7:30pm-10:30pm. Visitors are invited to
listen, dance, and ENJOY! Cinco de Mayo comes to Folklore! Let
the party begin! Why not try International Foods, Wines, and Beers in
the Food Court for the best prices in town (the Food Court with International
Beers and Wines is open until 11pm on Saturday). Grab your food and head back
to the Main Arena for an “International Party.”
Win a free Stay-Cation Draw, Courtesy of the Victoria
Inn Hotel Thunder Bay, a Free Draw but with some conditions that apply. Enjoy their Water
Slide, Indoor Pool, and so much more. Visit our Folklore Festival Website
Canada’s wealth lies in our rich cultural diversity. The traditions, the dances, the songs, the foods have made the Canadian mosaic a treasure, which will long endure. The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association warmly and proudly invites everyone to be part of this Annual Canadian multicultural celebration.
Festival hours are Saturday, 12 noon to 11
pm and Sunday 12 noon to 7 pm. The Festival is fully accessible. Our website operates year-round promoting the Festival and our
Sponsors. Opening Ceremonies for our 51st Folklore Festival, with our “Parade of Nations”, dignitaries, the
Thunder Bay Multicultural Association Board of Directors, and Sponsors, will be
held at 2 pm Saturday May 4th on the Main Stage.
More than 1,000 volunteers assist in planning, and preparing the site decorations, stage, food and exhibit booths, the Children’s Area, promotion, and organization and performing at Folklore. Because of these special people, Festival visitors have the unique opportunity to experience this exquisite multicultural mosaic, the largest presentation in our Region.