Keep this Saturday free to mix and mingle with your neighbours from Africa and Canada.
The Africa Ekassa Cultural Festival is at Swangard Stadium Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be music, dance performances, international food, arts, storytelling, drumming, crafts, games and information booths and displays.
"(The festival) has always been a cultural event that enables Canadians to enjoy and learn about different cultures from different parts of the world," said organizer Osakue Ukponrefe.
This will be the third year for the festival, which started in Queensborough but moved to Burnaby's Swangard Stadium to accommodate a larger crowd. Ukponrefe is expecting roughly 2,000 people to attend this year.
"Definitely, you're going to have a lot of African music and dances, lots of culture," he said. "Some people are going to dress African. You're also going to see the different varieties of culture in different parts of Africa."
Ukponrefe said it's also an opportunity to meet people from Africa and ask questions about where they came from, chill out and enjoy the food and music. There is no admission fee, but the organizers welcome donations. Money raised goes to the hosting organization, Edo Friends of British Columbia Association, which helps new immigrants with settlement services.
