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Westman Multicultural Festival sees strong turnout on second day
Summary
Music, food and cultural performances drew crowds across Brandon on the festival's second day, and organizers reported strong early turnout with some pavilions estimating hundreds to thousands of visitors.
Content
Westman Multicultural Festival continued to draw visitors across Brandon on its second day. Music, food and cultural storytelling filled multiple pavilions from Aberdeen Avenue to the Victoria Inn. Organizers said early turnout was strong after a full opening night. The festival typically attracts about 25,000 visitors over three days.
Event details:
- Organizers, including festival chair Enver Naidoo, reported strong early turnout after the festival opened Thursday.
- The Palestine pavilion at the Backyard on Aberdeen offered traditional music, videos and dishes such as maqluba, meat pies, za'atar, baklava and harissa; organizers expected at least 150 visitors Friday evening.
- The Indian pavilion in the Grand Salon at the Victoria Inn showcased dances, music, henna, jewelry and food and was estimated by organizers to host about 2,000 visitors on Friday.
- Pavilions are spread across the city and include Nigerian and Hispanic Association of Manitoba at the WIS Multicultural Centre, the Ukrainian pavilion at the National Ukrainian Hall, the El Salvador pavilion at the North End Community Centre, plus sites for the Philippines, Colombia, Métis, Scottish and Mexican communities.
- Organizers described the event as family-friendly and free for visitors, and noted strong community engagement and favourable weather as factors in attendance.
Summary:
Attendance and community engagement were reported as strong on the festival's second day, with several pavilions seeing steady lines and large crowds. Organizers said the event remains family-friendly and free, and some pavilions offered cultural performances and food that drew visitors from across the region. The festival proceeds into its final day today, with pavilions and activities continuing across Brandon.
