The Collage Multicultural Festival got a fresh start this year, being organized by Southeast Newcomers Services (SNS).
After missing a year due to a transition in organizers from the Estevan Chamber of Commerce to the SNS, the festival took a large stride forward, bringing diverse acts of music and dance back to Estevan. The festival welcomed a variety group of performers and vendors from the community and surrounding area for the weekend.
Melanie Mantei from SNS was happy with how the weekend went, learning exactly how Collage is run.
She said running the event next to Showcase was a great way for people who didn't know about Collage to check in and see what the festival is all about.
"It is a great thing to have in the southeast because our area is getting very diverse, and people just need to know how many cultures are here, so they can welcome them into the community," said Mantei.
Collage was held in the Estevan Leisure Centre, with booths set up throughout the hallway from the Estevan Public Library to the RM of Estevan Aquatic Centre.
Indian and Filipino food was on the menu while at other booths, like the Estevan and Area Literacy Group's, they were giving away books to kids.
The colourful booths were matched only by the colourful performances that ran throughout the weekend.
The festival included performances in the multipurpose room at the leisure centre by groups from both inside and outside the Estevan community. Local performances included dancing from the Estevan Filipino community, Estevan Sikh Society, the Me'ira Belly Dance Troupe and Drewitz School of Dance.
Estevan Combat Sports and Fitness performed a jiu-jitsu demonstration Friday evening. Regina's Chung Wah Kung Fu Centre also provided kung fu and tai chi demonstrations, as well as a lion dance.
Tanya Nichol hosted a pair of zumba demonstrations, while Watching Eye Magic performed two magic shows on Saturday. The Skin and Bones Drumming Group performed Middle-Eastern rhythms while Larissa Bouvier performed the shruti box during Saturday's program.
The festival was closed Sunday afternoon with music from Third Town Band.
