For those of you who are sick of winter and want a tropical break, you have good news coming. A local lady is organizing the “Filipino Festival” March 24 in Wetaskiwin.
Organizer Maria Par said the festival has two goals: one, to give people a Filipino break from Alberta’s cold, snowy weather and two, to raise funds for Catholic Social Services in Wetaskiwin.
Par said the Filipino festival was already being held, but she wanted to make it more widely known and see if it could also help some of the CSS clients. “We would like to introduce our cultural background, how we celebrate the fiesta,” said Par by phone Feb. 10.
The fundraising portion of the event will benefit CSS clients with disabilities and give them a brighter future.
The event will definitely bring a flash of tropical culture to Wetaskiwin this winter stated Par. She noted the program, which runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. that evening, centers on cultural dance, “One of the dances is about flowers,” said Par.
She stated posters for the event prominently feature the Filipino word for “flowers,” which is “bulaklak.” The event will feature a lot of colourful clothing and dancing.
Par added that everyone who attends is encouraged to dress “summer style,” with floral print dresses and shirts. If you thought your Hawaiian shirt wouldn’t be needed until next July, you better go dig it out of the closet.
Mayor Bill Elliot has confirmed he will attend.
The event is family-friendly, so kids are welcome. Par said there will be games and door prizes as well.
Supper will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will include Filipino spring rolls, pancit (Filipino noodles), roast beef, potatoes and lots of fixings.
While Par said the event has a charitable side, she said it’s also important that people have fun and learn about a culture that’s not really that far away because it lives in the hearts of the local Filipino community.
“I just want them to come out and see our Filipino culture,” said Par.
Filipino Fiesta will be held at the Wetaskiwin Moose Hall March 24, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 per person, children under 3 years are free. Tickets are available at the CSS office in Wetaskiwin, or by calling 780-352-5535.