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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 22, 2016 | 30 John Bkila Editor jbkila@oakvillebeaver.com Carousel of Nations' annual festival returns Saturday by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" O akville residents looking to experience the world's diverse cultures and nationalities won't have to go far with the arrival of the annual Summer Cultural Festival tomorrow (Saturday). The 18th edition of the popular Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association's (CNMA) event returns to the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Rd. "Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association is dedicated to address and prevent racial discrimination through multicultural arts programming that aids in dispelling myths, dismantling stereotypes, unlearning biases and alleviating fears," organizers stated in a media release. "Since 1999, the festival remains to be a successful collaboration among the local ethno-cultural groups, professional and amateur multicultural artists, Halton Regional Police Service, local businesses, government and corporate sponsors." The outdoor and free festival features groups, representing more than 30 countries, showcasing their unique cultures. Participating pavilions include: Africa, Arabic nations, the Caribbean, Hawaii, India, Korea, Latin America, Poland and Taiwan, to name a few. New to this year's event is a Caribbean Masquerade performance. "The CNMA invite you to join us for a full day of exhilarating live musical performances, arts and crafts displays, kids face painting and games, artist tents, variety of authentic and traditional dishes and refreshment... lots of entertainment and fun, with something for every age group," stated organizers. The family-friendly festival has its official opening at noon, followed by performances from various cultures until 6 p.m. Performances include: Bollywood Bang (India); Viva Mexico Mariachi Band (Mexico); belly dancers (Egypt); Oakville Chinese Folk Dancers (China); Madagascar dancers (Madagascar); Hawaiian dancers (Hawaii); Chinese Arts Society (China); Mississauga Chinese Dancers (China); and the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton Steelpan Band (Caribbean), among others. The CNMA event is funded in part by the Town of Oakville The 18th annual Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association's Summer Cultural Festival returns to the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre tomorrow (Saturday). The family-friendly day, filled with performances and activities, will feature more than 30 countries. Pictured at last year's event, Eshe Yildiz, left, and Leianne Vergara, of the BellyUp Egyptian Dance group, perform. | Oakville Beaver file photo cultural grants, which is administered by the Oakville Arts Council. "As a recipient of the Town of Oakville cultural grant, we are dedicated to promoting the holistic understanding and appreciation of the diversity and significance of the multicultural arts in a cultural context," said CNMA organizers. In addition to the cultural and musical performances, the festival will feature artist tents where locals will be exhibiting their works to the public, arts and crafts displays, kids face painting, and a variety of authentic and traditional dishes and refreshment. The CNMA is a member of Oakville Arts Council and dedicated to promoting the holistic understanding and appreciation of the diversity and significance of the multicultural arts in a cultural context. For more information about the CNMA or Summer Cultural Festival, call 905-257-0581, email info@ carouselofnations.ca or visit www.carouselofnations.ca. August 8-12 and August 15-19, Millcroft Park, Burlington Rain or Shine! If it rains the camp will be held indoors at Fieldhouse Hitting Curve Balls, Hitting Fastballs, High Performance Pitching, Pitching Fundamentals Summer Baseball Camps Summer Baseball Lessons Series Fieldhouse Pirates Tryouts for 2016/2017 Season 10U - 18U High Performance CPBL Baseball Teams Contact us: info@fieldhouseathletics.ca · Phone: 905-639-3421 · 5230 Harvester Road fieldhouseathletics.ca