This Sunday (September 29), you are invited to attend Cochrane Culture Fest 2019 at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre.

The FREE afternoon event will feature several countries as we celebrate all the cultures that reside in Cochrane.

Jackie Shier, Event Lead, says thanks to a partnership between Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee and the Helping Hands Society, cultural diversity will be highlighted in many ways. "There is going to be an indoor component of static displays of different booths from thirteen countries showcasing their culture, and then we have an entertainment program."

There will also be two Indigenous cultures represented and nine musical/dance performances. "We have three musicians and seven dance groups. The dance groups are all really lively; we have Portgual, Philippines, India, El Salvador, as well as a group from Bulgaria. As well,
nine different groups will be offering free small food samples for those wishing to expand their palate."

Thanks to grant funding from the Calgary Foundation, Cochrane Foundation, and Alberta Culture Days a cultural mosaic will be created. "The town of Brooks did a project a few years back called the 'Faces of Brooks' and so we will be doing the 'Faces of Cochrane.' We will be taking photos of people from Cochrane holding a little sign in front of them that says where they came from. We believe many people don't recognize that Cochrane is becoming more and more culturally diverse. We are hoping this mosaic will be about four feet by six feet, and it will be a snapshot of how Cochrane is changing. Maybe we will redo it in five years, and we hope this mosaic will travel around town so the public can go have a look at it."

Wanting to give appreciation to the fact that no matter your race, colour, belief, or sexual orientation...we all belong. "We are inclusive. No one has any right over anyone else. We are all part of Cochrane, and we are better and stronger together. When people are educated, they are more likely to be inclusive when they are understanding."

While the event was initially being planned with an outdoor component, Shier confirms Culture Fest will all be hosted indoors with inclement weather being forecasted.

Once people see the success of this year's event, Shier is hopeful other cultures will come forward to help paticipate in the celebration. "I think when people see how much fun this is and what a great community-building event it is, they will want to get on board. We would love to see this be an annual event."

The event runs from 1 to 5 in the afternoon, and Shier is hoping to see at least 500 to 1000 people come out and celebrate Cochrane's diversity. "The event is free; you can come and enjoy the entertainment, enjoy the education that is going on, and meet your neighbours."