(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

a galvanizing event

2nd annual Afro-Caribbean Festival bringing culture to downtown Red Deer Aug. 17 & 18

Aug 11, 2024 | 4:00 PM

The second annual Afro Caribbean Festival is coming to Red Deer’s downtown Aug. 17 & 18.

Hosted by the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta (ACCoCA), the free-to-attend festival offers a unique opportunity for community to unite and celebrate Canada’s rich Afro-Caribbean heritage.

There will be live music and other performances, plus cultural displays, food galore, art exhibitions and more.

The festival will be set up on Ross Street between 49 Avenue and 48 Avenue — by City Hall. There will also be stuff going on up the street at Veterans Park and the Ross Street Patio.

Organizers say the program starts at noon with a grand opening ceremony which will include speeches, dancing of multiple exciting varieties and a band.

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“We really had a great success last year, so we’ve expanded upon that this year,” says Zainab Mohamoud, ACCoCA executive director.

“There will be a fashion show, beer gardens and it’ll be amazing for the whole community. the African and Caribbean communities here are growing, so we want this event to be bigger and better each year.”

Chris-Ann Humphrey, event volunteer, believes the event can be galvanizing for the entire central Alberta community.

“Being from the Caribbean, I and others are away from home, so it’s nice to have cultural events with the music, the food and have other people from your culture come out and have a time,” says Humphrey, who is from Grenada.

“We like to party, so why not come together and have a time together, meet new people and all be part of the culture?”

The festival runs from 12-11 p.m. on the Saturday, and 12-8 on Sunday, rain or shine.

For more information on the schedule, being a volunteer, sponsoring, or becoming a vendor, contact organizers at 403-550-4067 or sign-up through the ACCoCA website.

rdnewsNOW, BIG 105 and 106.7 REWIND Radio are proud partners of this event.

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