THUNDER BAY -- Harleen Dhillon says she no longer gets nervous when she hits the stage.
“I used to be, but now I'm just so used to it.”
The 13-year-old took to the stage Saturday at the Folklore Festival in what has become an annual event.
"She's going to be a star," one observer told Harleen's mother following her performance.
Dressed in vibrant pink and gold cloth, Harleen’s self-taught routines are a highlight of the weekend, and a fantastic opportunity to represent her Punjabi roots.
“It’s so cool because it’s like we’re all one big happy family here... all sharing our culture,” Harleen said.
The sentiment is echoed by longtime organizer Jeanetty Jumah who has been a volunteer at the festival for more than 25 years.
Jumah oversees all that the Folklore Festival has to offer. Performances such as Harleen’s are spread throughout the weekend and showcase more than 40 countries from all over the world.
From Middle Eastern belly dancing, to Chinese erhu renditions, the show never stops.
Neither does the food court.
“You can go to Slovakia and have some cabbage rolls, or to Syria and enjoy some delicious donair. The Greeks are here. The Carribeans are here...”
Booths from local spots such as Thai Kitchen, Monsoon, and even the Hoito are all open for hungry customers.
“Thunder Bay is a great place. People may not be kind to each other because they look different... Their colour is different,” Jumah said. “But when they come to Folklore Festival they see in our hearts we’re all the same. No matter the creed, colour, or religion.”
The melange of cultures is reason enough for Alfonso Faringo, an Ecuadorian Hamilton resident, to come back for 18 years running.
“I feel very happy here. Everybody’s culture has something different to offer, and I love meeting people from different parts of the world.”
Diverse fun for everyone; the festival runs on Saturday until 11 p.m. and from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
