Date: May 1st, 2011

Contacts: Michelle Lander-Mackenzie, Folklore Festival Coordinator

Thanks to the support of Folklore visitors from Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario, the Northern US States and people from as far afield as the Netherlands, Folklore Festival 2011, once again, proved to be an outstanding celebration of all the cultures that enrich Canada. Well over 11,000 people including a growing younger crowd, came out to "Travel the World" right here in Thunder Bay.

The Festival featured enchanting and lively Opening Ceremonies "Parade of Nations" with 13 cultural groups including the newly formed African dancers. Youthfest, Saturday evening with talented local young performers and the "Culture Meets Urban Fashion Show" attracted a good crowd including youth and the "young at heart" for hot modern performances on stage. From the high flying Chaban dancers to the traditional Filipino Tinikiling dancers, the new Borneo Dayak Dance, the exquisite Persian Bandari dances by Dahab and the majesty of the Little Eagle Singers and Dancers, Folklore celebrated the beauty of the many cultures of Canada with two jam-packed days of incredible entertainment. From the very popular Children's Area, to the superb artists, exhibits and international shopping from Chinese to Ecuadorian treasures on site, Folklore enchanted visitors of all ages.

Tantalizing international foods drew enormous crowds of visitors to the Food Booths including the Egyptian and Aboriginal Food Booths. The temptations of authentic Caribbean Jerk Chicken, Portuguese Elephant ears, Filipino shiskababs, Indian curries and Thai Ginger Chicken to name a few kept the Food Court hopping all weekend long with lineups at many booths on both days.

The winner of the Porter Airline Trip for 2 to Toronto was Carl Fortier of Thunder Bay who won with the first ticket drawn.

A big thank you to all the visitors, sponsors, the local media for their support, entertainers, Food Booth groups, exhibitors, artists, ambassadors, the Folklore Festival Committee and our wonderful volunteers who helped to make Folklore Festival 2011 a tremendous success. Enjoy the next Folklore May 5-6, 2012.