Cochrane’s Culture Fest is getting bigger and bolder in 2025, moving to the Spray Lake Sawmills Centre to accommodate a growing crowd and an expanding roster of cultural displays and performances.
The annual celebration, hosted by the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC), takes place Sept. 6 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Organizers expect 25 cultural groups and up to 14 performances this year, ranging from music and dance to storytelling.
CISC president Kristina Kindree says the larger venue was necessary after more than 1,000 people attended last year’s event at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre.
“We’re moving to the indoor turf at the SLS Centre this year,” she said. “When you walk through the area, it will be like travelling the world.”
The list of participating cultures stretches across the globe, including Syria, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Finland, Ukraine, England, the Netherlands, Mexico, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, and two First Nations.
Performances will feature artists from Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Scotland, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam, with an opening performance by First Nations dancers.
This year, visitors can pick up a world map at the entrance and collect stickers as they visit each booth, a twist on the “passport” concept used in past years. Free face painting and children’s activities will also be available.
Kindree says the event is more than a showcase of food, music and dance.
“It’s beyond just a celebration — it’s about connection,” she said. “It’s where cultures meet, share stories, and strengthen our community.”
There's also face painting and activities for youth.
Watch for more details as the event draws closer. In the meantime, remember the venue change and mark this date on your calendar.