From June 22nd-24th the Multicultural Association of
Nova Scotia held the 17th Annual Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival
2001. This year's theme was "Experience the World" and patrons
had a chance to do just that with over twenty cultural groups participating.
The Food and Exhibit Tents were a big success. With over twenty-five
Food Exhibits and seven barbeque booths there was a huge selection
of food and treats for patrons to take delight in.
The Outdoor Performance Stage hosted a multitude of performers
and performances. The Arkan Dance Company was a crowd favorite this
year performing traditional Ukranian Dance. Performing Artist Heather
Rankin and ATV News Reporter Todd Battis were the M.C.s at the Opening
Ceremonies. On-site, Samba Nova provided Afro-Brazilian percussion
and sounds and wonderful demonstrations were put on by a championship
rope skipping team.
The Children's Tent was alive with music, storytelling, crafts
and demonstrations.
The Boyne Clarke Award of Excellence, given every year to the Cultural
Association or Group who best showcases its food and exhibits, was
won by the Maritime Sikh Society. The Boyne Clarke Multicultural
Award was introduced as well.
This year the Festival was host to an estimated 43,000 people and
for the first time had live shows broadcast on Internet Radio by
Atlantic Media Institute. Under conditions similar to those a mailman
faces; fog, drizzle, and rain (although the sun did manage to break
through the clouds several times), the Festival was a huge success.
We look forward to the Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival 2002.
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