August 20, 2024
Red Deerians celebrated African and Caribbean culture in the city’s downtown this past weekend.
The second annual Afro-Caribbean Festival was held on Saturday and Sunday, as Ross Street between 48th and 49th Avenue was filled with a few dozen vendor and food booths, a stage featuring live performances and more.
“It’s been a really amazing weekend,” said Zainab Mohamoud, founder and executive director of the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta.
“This event shows people within the African and Caribbean that they belong here. They are able to see their culture being celebrating. People living in Canada from Africa or the Caribbean, they can experience being home without travelling. They also don’t have to go to Edmonton or Calgary to experience this kind of event.
“There are people who were emotional saying, ‘We never dreamt something like this would happen in Red Deer.’ They’re seeing this becoming a reality and they are asking how they can be part of it. Everyone can share their food and their culture with the people of Red Deer and Central Alberta.”
The event kicked off at noon on Saturday with an opening ceremony featuring the raising of banners representing different African and Caribbean countries, as well as flags from Canada, Alberta and other regional participants.
The weekend’s lineup of entertainers included local singer Wes Kozy, MBIRA Renaissance band, Sangea Band from Edmonton, African Queen, members of the local Pound It Hip Hop Studio, the AK4s, La Familia, Children and Gravity, and the Jamaican-Canadian Skystar band from Edmonton.
“On Saturday we had a really big crowd. In the evening, from 6 to 10, it was quieter. We ended up closing around 10 p.m., but before 6 p.m. it was busy,” she said, adding she hopes to see the festival grow every year.
“We’ll take what we’ve learned this year and make adjustments for next year. We might have the festival stay open late, but we also see potential in keeping it open until 8 or 9 p.m. next year. We’ll adjust things as we go.”
The inaugural festival in 2023 was held during the second weekend of August — this year’s event was held on the third weekend.
“We know some people might want to go camping or something (with school starting up again soon),” she said.
“I know there are a lot of people who want to come out, but they’re out of town. Next year we’ll adjust and find a week where that doesn’t impact us too much. This year, it seems like it impacted us quite a bit.”
There was a number in vendors this year, Mohamoud said, adding the event wouldn’t have been possible without its sponsors.
“They see the potential and how events like this can transform communities,” she said.
“Last year, we struggled a bit financially. This year we’re in a better position because of the support we’ve received from the community. Small businesses have really come through for us too.”
For more information on the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta, visit www.accoca.ca.