The lakeside setting of Hawrelak Park is dotted with red, white and blue tents, each mounted with a Canadian flag flapping in the wind.
In this three-day weekend event, the 2010 Servus Heritage Festival throws open its doors to the world with a vivid fanfare of local cultures highlighting their nationality’s scrumptious food and folkloric dances.
And while there is an inherent pride in the great diversity of cultures, the flapping flags are a reminder that, at the festival’s root, we are all united as Canadians.
Running until Monday, Aug. 2, the outdoor festival showcases 63 pavilions. Three new countries are represented — El Salvador, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan. And the Ethiopian pavilion returns after a long absence.
In a special 35th anniversary salute, a citizenship ceremony welcomes between 80 and 100 new Canadians at the park amphitheatre on Monday at noon. Retired Armed Forces Col. Donald Ethell, Alberta’s 17th lieutenant-governor, will preside in an honorary capacity.
“It’s something we’re very excited about. We haven’t done it sooner because it’s taken a long time to put together,” said festival executive director Jack Little.
But most of the expected 350,000 visitors will stroll through Hawrelak Park’s natural setting, enjoying more than 500 diverse entertainers and sampling some 300 scrumptious foods. Dishes range from Borneo’s banana fritters and the Caribbean’s jerk pork to Somalia’s camel meat with rice or Venezuela’s tamali.
Visitors can also enjoy an environmentally guilt-free day since organizers have put a green stamp on every aspect of the festival. Edmonton Transit System will ferry about 105,000 riders, two large bicycle compounds are situated at the park entrance and ENMAX is powering the festival’s energy needs with renewable electricity. “It’s the greenest festival we can make,” Little said.
This year, every booth is required to use compostable plates, bowls, cups, glasses, straws and cutlery that degrade within 45 to 60 days. “We are stewards for the future and with the decision to go green, we are taking a leadership role.”
The transition from chemical plastic to compostables will cost the half-million dollar festival $46,000, about 40 per cent more than past years. “Going green certainly costs more, but we’ve seen the price drop by 30 per cent since we started looking, and we are confident it will drop even more as it becomes more popular.”
Earth Friendly Distributors has been contracted to provide compostable eating utensils and plates manufactured from paper, corn and bagasse (left over sugarcane). They will be hauling in a 53-ft. trailer stacked with 1,000 large cases.
“Vendors have had a mixed reaction,” said Al Shimoda, a distributor for Earth Friendly. “Most feel it is part of their responsibility to provide not only good food, but also minimize damage to the environment.”
There is no public parking for the festival. Free parking is available at the park and ride facility at Calder Park on 124 Street and 124 Avenue. A second option is hopping the 201 St. Albert Transit bus to MacEwan College. Park and ride is available at both locations.
Donations for the Edmonton Food Bank are encouraged. For a full list of countries and menu items check out www.heritage-festival.com.
