A multicultural festival celebrating diversity and community is returning to Wetaskiwin this June, with more than 3,000 people expected to attend.
The Multicultural Heritage Festival will take place at Jubilee Park from June 13 to 15, running daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Now in its second year, the event was co-founded by Marlon Pinaso — who also serves as the festival chairman — along with the directors of the Wetaskiwin Filipino Community Foundation.
Pinaso also leads Wetaskiwin Literacy and Wellness Services (WLWS), the non-profit that benefits from the event.
“The main goal of the festival is to unite everyone, regardless of cultures or whatever orientations we have,” said Pinaso.
“This is all about celebrating diversity and promoting unity in the community.”
This year’s festival will feature representation from more than eight countries, along with 45 vendors offering international foods, crafts and other goods. Traditional dances from a range of cultures will also be showcased throughout the three-day event.
Admission is free, and all proceeds will go to WLWS, which provides free learning and development services to the local community.
Pinaso hopes the funds raised during the festival will help support WLWS operations throughout the year.
The event is supported through grant funding from both the City of Wetaskiwin and the Province of Alberta. The city has committed to five years of financial support, with the goal of helping WLWS build long-term sustainability and eventually run the festival independently.
For more information about the festival or WLWS, visit the website.
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