More than 600 Cochrane residents and guests thronged the Cochrane Lions Event Centre for this year’s Culture Fest to enjoy a colourful display of the town’s rich and growing cultural diversity.
Culture Fest is one of summer’s most anticipated events in Cochrane and is organized annually by Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee’s (CISC).
CCIS’ Fleeha Ahmad, who works with our rural outpost, Rockyview Immigrant Service’s (RVIS), chaired this year’s CISC Advisory Board for the festival. Fleeha also made an excellent compere for what turned out to be a hugely successful and unforgettable event.
Excited attendees relished the beautiful music, dance, fashion and food of 17 countries of the world including the Philippines, Thailand, Colombia, Kazakhstan, England, Ukraine, India, Mexico, Germany, Honduras, Australia, Venezuela, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, Scotland and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
Cultural representatives from each culture occupied 17 booths at the venue and offered a variety of exciting cultural experiences to booth visitors, providing interesting and engaging information, facts and activities drawn from each represented culture.
Visitors to some of the booths also had a taste of food samples from the different cultures.
One of the highlights of the event was a Tipi-raising ceremony by participants from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. The tipi-raising was soon followed by some thrilling Indigenous dances and captivating storytelling.
Two local volunteers received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from MP Blake Richards, the Member of Parliament for Banff—Airdrie.
MLA Peter Guthrie appreciated the volunteers who worked with the event organizers for all their hard work in contributing to the success of the event. He also lauded the wonderful cultural performances and described the occasion as a complete success.
Also, in attendance to enjoy the cultural extravaganza were town councillors, Marni Fedeyko and Susan Flowers.
The 2022 Culture Fest Cochrane was a resounding success, thanks to the sponsorship and support of Alberta Culture Days, Town of Cochrane, Family Community Supports Services of Cochrane & Area, Cochrane Lions Event Centre, Cochrane Rotary Club, Rocky View Immigrant Services, Cochrane Home Treasures, Bow RiversEdge Campground, Debbie Leah & Associates, Daytona Homes Calgary, Mountain Vista Law, J Bird Designs, MacDonalds – 5th Avenue and Save On Foods.
The resounding message from this grand festival of culture in Cochrane was: everyone is welcome here!
