The Cranbrook Multicultural Festival gearing up for another showcase of Cranbrook's diversity and is putting out the call for any interested groups or nationalities to get in touch with the organizers.
So far, there are 16 groups representing different countries or unique regions within countries that include: Canada, Ktunaxa, Metis, China, Philippines, Japan, South Africa, India, Great Britain, Serbia, Russia, Slovenia, Dominican Republic, Syria, Romania and Indonesia.
A few other groups have been in contact with organizers as well, which include Germany, French Canada, Korea and The Netherlands.
Taking over Rotary Park on August 19 and 20th, the Cranbrook Multicultural Festival will include booths featuring each individual culture along with some authentic food and performances.
This year, the festival will run for two days; on Friday evening there will be a traditional textile exhibition while there will be booths and plenty of activities for everyone from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"We've invited an artist from Vancouver, she's Indonesian and she's going to bring in a traditional Indonesian fabric and she's going to do a presentation on Indonesia," said Coco Seitz, an organizer with the festival. "Also, we're going to have a workshop making Batik…this is a material, a painting of fabric and they use the fabric for clothing. It's made from wax and cotton fabric."
If there are any unrepresented cultures or nationalities that wish to be involved, contact Seitz at 250-581-0678. Seitz also encourages any interested food vendors or artisans who wish to be a part of the festival are also encouraged to contact her.