| From June 22nd-24th the Multicultural Association of 
            Nova Scotia held the 17th Annual Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival 
            2001. This year's theme was "Experience the World" and patrons 
            had a chance to do just that with over twenty cultural groups participating. The Food and Exhibit Tents were a big success. With over twenty-five 
              Food Exhibits and seven barbeque booths there was a huge selection 
              of food and treats for patrons to take delight in.  The Outdoor Performance Stage hosted a multitude of performers 
              and performances. The Arkan Dance Company was a crowd favorite this 
              year performing traditional Ukranian Dance. Performing Artist Heather 
              Rankin and ATV News Reporter Todd Battis were the M.C.s at the Opening 
              Ceremonies. On-site, Samba Nova provided Afro-Brazilian percussion 
              and sounds and wonderful demonstrations were put on by a championship 
              rope skipping team. The Children's Tent was alive with music, storytelling, crafts 
              and demonstrations. The Boyne Clarke Award of Excellence, given every year to the Cultural 
              Association or Group who best showcases its food and exhibits, was 
              won by the Maritime Sikh Society. The Boyne Clarke Multicultural 
              Award was introduced as well. This year the Festival was host to an estimated 43,000 people and 
              for the first time had live shows broadcast on Internet Radio by 
              Atlantic Media Institute. Under conditions similar to those a mailman 
              faces; fog, drizzle, and rain (although the sun did manage to break 
              through the clouds several times), the Festival was a huge success. 
              We look forward to the Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival 2002. |