Murray Wood: Who's hot and who's not
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Afrobeats, tourtières and even a fashion show of Vietnamese costumes will be happening in Saskatoon for the next three days.
Two new pavilions will be added to Folkfest this year as it celebrates its 45th year.
The multicultural festival returns on Thursday, celebrating the city’s diversity through music, food, activities and performances.
Throughout the city, 14 pavilions from around the globe will be featured including the introduction of the Nigerian and Latino pavilions at Prairieland Park.
Two different booths are ready to serve up some traditional Nigerian food at Folk Fest 2024.
(Céline Grimard/650 CKOM)
According to the Folkfest website, traditional music and dances from the “Giant of Africa” will be featured. Nigerian staples such as jollof rice, vegetable soups, and healthy, refreshing drinks will also be available for visitors to try.
Olubunmi Otuyelu explained the dishes they are serving up to people can be found at Nigerian parties amongst others.
“So, today I am doing local rice, which is usually called Ofada rice and ayamase sauce,” said Otuyelu, who owns 3 J’s Kitchen.
Ofada rice is a Nigerian staple. It’s being served at Folk Fest with ayamase.
(Céline Grimard/650 CKOM)
“My favourite dish is the local rice, the rice, I love it, yes,” said Otuyelu.
Prairieland Park will also feature the new Latino pavilion representing 17 countries from Mexico to Argentina. According to the Folkfest website, more than 6,000 individuals with Latin American backgrounds call Saskatoon home.
Kiela Caudillo stands with her partner. She’s excited for the 45th multicultural festival to show off her Latin culture.
(Céline Grimard/650 CKOM)
Kiela Caudillo, who is with the Latino Pavillion said their area has “games, we have some activities for people to learn a little bit of the Spanish language.”
“This is a great opportunity to show that we are here, and we have something to offer to society,” said Caudillo.
She also mentioned they will have a dancing workshop.
“We will have people dancing here and you’re going to learn a few basic steps,” said Caudillo.
“We are representing about 17 different countries from Latin America starting from Mexico all the way to the south to Argentina, Chile. We also have vendors, we are going to have some crafts for people to buy if they want too.,” said Kiela Caudillo from the Latino Folk Fest Pavillion.
(Céline Grimard/650 CKOM)
She explained they have drinks ranging from Mojitos to Piña Colada and their Latino-inspired food is mostly Mexican.
Aside from Prairieland, the Francophone pavilion can be found at École Canadienne-Française, the Indian and Métis pavilion at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, and the German pavilion at the Nutana Legion.
This year the German pavilion will also welcome performances from different cultures such as Ukrainian Karpaty, Irish & Scottish.
Earlier this year, two major pavilions, Ukrainian Karpaty and Scottish pulled out of the summer festival, which were a prominent part of the celebration for decades. Declining attendance, rising costs, and a struggle to find volunteers were some of the reasons behind those decisions.
Saskatoon Folkfest runs from 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Friday, and 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Details and locations of all the pavilions can be found on the festival’s website.
