Burnaby may be a long way from the island nation of Fiji, but local residents can get a taste of the culture this weekend.
The annual Fiji Festival is on Saturday, July 23, at Swangard Stadium, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"Basically, you wear your flower shirts and your lei, and your Polynesian, Fijian attire, and you come the festival, and it's like back home," said Regina Prakash, one of the organizers. Prakash is expecting more than 3,000 people to attend.
"Because the event has grown so much, this is the third event at Swangard," she said.
The festival includes community performers, singers, a soccer tournament, a fashion show and food. There are also two tickets to Fiji, courtesy Air Pacific, up for grabs through a raffle. Fiji's top rugby player, Waisale Serevi, will also be there.
The festival will open with a yaqona ceremony.
"In Fiji, when there is any special event, the chief will honour the guests by serving them a cup of this yoqona drink," Prakash explained.
Yaqona, also known as kava, is a type of pepper plant whose dried roots have a sedative effect.
"It tastes like mud water," Prakash added, laughing.
To kick off the event, the chief will offer the yaqona drink to local dignitaries who are expected to attend, including various MLAs, Mayor Derek Corrigan and seniors in the Fijian community.
Prakash's father, Vincent Prakash, is the festival founder and producer of Jai Fiji TV Productions, a 30-minute program on the Shaw Multicultural Channel. Vincent puts on the event every year with help from his wife and family.
Regina also extended a special thanks to all the sponsors - especially the City of Burnaby, local newspaper and volunteers. Money raised from the festival goes to Save the Children projects in Fiji.
