After 11 years, Cherry Fernandez says the OneWorld Festival has always managed to bring people together.
More than 35 countries were represented Saturday, Feb. 24, when the 11th annual edition of the multicultural event came to Penticton害羞草研究所檚 Lakeside Resort.
Organized by South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS), the festival featured food, live entertainment, and traditions all day long.
害羞草研究所淢y favourite part of the event is seeing everyone connecting with each other,害羞草研究所� said Fernandez, the executive director at SOICS. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 all about bringing people together.害羞草研究所�
Fernandez estimates more than 2,000 people attended Saturday害羞草研究所檚 event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There was food from Mexico, Japan and Thailand, and entertainment from Scotland and Columbia, among others. The event, Fernandez says, never misses the mark when it comes to celebrating diversity.
害羞草研究所淭his is such a beautiful place that brings us all together, and of course, don害羞草研究所檛 forget the food,害羞草研究所� the executive director added. 害羞草研究所淔ood is such a wonderful way to be together, bond and create those conversations.害羞草研究所�
Yuko Yoshii has attended the OneWorld Festival for several years. With Japanese cuisine ready to be served, the Penticton resident said she never gets tired of seeing people try new foods for the first time.
害羞草研究所淢eeting a lot of new people,害羞草研究所� Yoshii, who represented Penticton害羞草研究所檚 Japanese Kitchen Kura, said, when asked what her favourite part of the event was. 害羞草研究所淲e also love trying food from other countries, too. That害羞草研究所檚 the fun part.害羞草研究所�
Other festival highlights included the showing of SOICS students害羞草研究所� films, live music, dancing and a photo booth.
Fernandez says the festival has grown significantly since its inception more than a decade ago, with SOICS now serving clients from 110 countries and territories.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e still growing and it害羞草研究所檚 wonderful to see so many people who want to be part of this,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 definitely something to be celebrated.害羞草研究所�
