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Folklore Festival kicks off another year

Thousands come out to the 44th Annual Folklore Festival for a trip around the world.

THUNDER BAY - Justine Doughty has been living in Europe for the last 12 years, but luckily for her, a trip back to Thunder Bay couldn’t have been timed better.

“We just happened to be in town so I was really lucky the timing worked out and I was able to come,” she said.

Doughty was one of thousands to come out and take in all the cultures of the world during the 44th Annual Folklore Festival.

“This kind of cultural dynamic doesn’t really exist where I live now,” Doughty said.

The Folklore Festival kicked off on Saturday with the opening ceremonies that included a parade of nations.

“You are going to travel the world in 48 hours,” said Jeanetty Jumah, chair of sponsorship and promotion for the Thunder Bay Folklore Festival.

“It’s outstanding,” Jumah continued. “If you were here for the opening ceremonies you saw the large crowds. If you went to the food court, you would see even more people packing all the tables. They started coming early and there were line-ups as the doors opened. We are looking at another great Folklore Festival.

The always popular event once again included cultural performances by various dance organizations in the city, exhibitors, a kids area, and of course, 19 different food booths.

Sherri Rask, who was attending her very first Folklore Festival, said she wanted to bring her daughter to experience the cultural diversity of the city.

“It smells delicious and there are a lot of colours and it’s been entertaining so far,” she said. “We just watched the opening ceremonies.”

“Our community right now is really diverse so it just brings our community closer together,” Rask continued.

It was a little more nostalgic for Doughty, who used to come to the festival more than 12 years ago, but she said not much has changed.

“It’s been really nostalgic,” she said. “It was so long ago. The food is still just as good.”

According to Doughty, who teaches in England, returning to the Folklore Festival after so much time away reminds her just how special of an event like this is for the city.

“I think it’s something really special about Thunder Bay,” she said. “You don’t really find this where I am in the rural areas. It’s just really special to have so many different cultures in one place.”

The Folklore Festival continues on Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens.



Doug Diaczuk

About the Author: Doug Diaczuk

Doug Diaczuk is a reporter and award-winning author from Thunder Bay. He has a master’s degree in English from Lakehead University
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