Lloydminster’s biggest celebration of Filipino culture is back at Bud Miller All Seasons Park for its fourth year.
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“Our main purpose, of course, is to promote and inculcate among the young generations of Filipino Canadians the Filipino culture, traditions and customs,” said Dowsan Aontonio, United Filipino Canadians of Lloydminster and area president.
Filipino Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. on June 21 with a parade.
“There will be 18 groups so far who will be participating in the parade,” said Antonio. “After that, we will have a short program where we’ll have city Mayor (Gerald) Aalbers, MLA (Colleen) Young, MP (Rosemarie) Falk and our guest of honour from the Philippine Consulate in Calgary, Deputy Consul General Victorio M. Dimagiba Jr.”
There will also be a fashion show showing off traditional attire and costumes.
“We will also have our pioneers of Lloyd, those who have been in Canada 25 years or more, they’ll be having a fashion show,” he said.
Following the fashion show and lunch, there will be a cultural presentation featuring various dances and songs.
For eventgoers, there will be plenty of vendors to see and shop at.
“So, we have 28 food vendors, 14 other vendors, which are shoes and clothes,” said Antonio. “Based on our map we have around 80-plus booth.”
He says the event is driven by volunteers, sponsors and those who give their time to help make this festival possible.
“As I have mentioned, we have zero funding, we always rely on sponsors and there’s just (an) outpouring of blessings,” said Antonio.
He also wanted to give a special shoutout to MLA Young and her family for everything they’ve provided to make the event possible.
“I have never seen a member of the legislative assembly or an elected official attending our meeting and part of our working committee,” he said.
The Filipino Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the amphitheater area of Bud Miller with fun for the whole family.
On the horizon for Antonio is a community garage sale on July 26 with the City of Lloydminster.
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