The November 13 Festival of Cultures at Sacred Heart High School is shaping up to be the largest and most elaborate event of its kind in Yorkton's history.
The festival - being held for the first time this year - is organized by Partners in Settlement and Integration in conjunction with the city's various cultural groups.
"There has been quite a number of multicultural [events] organized by other agencies, but we wanted it to be more in-depth. Not just the food, but it's more of the whole experience: food, music, exhibits, performances," says Edith Montesclaros, settlement coordinator with Partners in Settlement and Integration.
So far eight groups have committed to hosting displays at the festival, representing both relative newcomers and some of the region's more established cultures.
The cultural "booths" that headquarter each group's activities will occupy entire classrooms at Sacred Heart High School. The space is necessary for the elaborate displays many groups have planned.
"In the Phillipines, for example, we have a mode of transportation called a jeepney. It's sort of a symbol of the Phillipines. So they're creating a replica of a jeepney that's going to be in there," says Montesclaros.
Similarly, the Ukrainian group plans to erect a replica of a traditional Ukrainian home in its space.
Food will also be on sale within each booth, and an afternoon program of entertainment is planned in the school's theatre.
The festival's opening ceremony is at 11 a.m., and entertainment begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for those
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