IN ITS third year running, Saturday’s Multicultural Festival is expected to be the biggest so far, with 13 different nations represented.
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The festival, a joint project of the Inverell Council and local People to People International (PTPI) branch, will fill Campbell Park with inviting aromas and free entertainment from 10.30 to 3pm.
“Last year we had an estimated crowd of about 2000 people,” PTPI Inverell branch president Les Parsons said.
With a new playground and generous parking, he thought Campbell Park was the perfect location.
“It's a great environment with the river in the background,” he said.
Les said the day was a warm welcome to the diverse cultures living in Inverell.
“The purpose of the day is basically to bring across to the people of the Inverell district the number of nationalities that have come to live in Inverell, and work in Inverell, and Inverell people have accepted those cultures wonderfully well,” he said.
“It’s also getting to know those people and letting them get to know us, as long time residents.”
Les encouraged festival-goers to ask those behind the counter about their backgrounds.
Locals keen to help out Fiji in the aftermath of Cyclone Winston can talk to Pate at the Fijian stall.
There will be 14 food stalls showing off flavours and national dress from all over the world, including Vietnamese, Fijian, Tongan, Brazilian and Thai.
The Nourish Bar will provide Australian-themed food and members of the Danthonia community will run one of two USA stalls, with the second stall giving locals a taste of American-style coffee. China, the Philippines, Italy and New Zealand will also be represented.
Popular local Esther Gardiner will represent Aboriginal culture, giving the Welcome to Country, performing one of her poems and hosting the Aboriginal stall.
Musical guests Peter Denovan, Jemima McLachlan, The Rabbit Trappers, Vince Redal and a didgeridoo player will provide free entertainment throughout the day.
“There’s face painting for the kids there, and adults too if they want to have a laugh,” Les said.