The Queenstown Multicultural Festival stems from the Japanese Summer Festival, Natsu Matsuri, which was first held in 2016 and organised by the Japanese Family Society.
Soon, more cultures were included in that event and then three years ago, through Queenstown’s council sponsorship, the Multicultural Festival was born.
Lead organiser Eric Lim says there’ll be about 54 vendors at the Queenstown Events Centre this Saturday, including 42 food stalls and 13 cultural booths, with non-stop performances throughout the day, including Dunedin’s Otago Southland Chinese Association dancers.
Lim, originally from Malaysia, says given the international nature of the Whakatipu’s community, it’s "nice to put something on to show our appreciation, and give them a taste of home".
"It can be difficult for people who are missing their family, so giving them a sense of community and home is so important. "
Previously held in October, this year’s festival’s coincides with the same month as New Zealand Race Relations Day.
And, they’re collaborating with the Lightfoot Initiative, and encouraging attendees to bike to the event — Lightfoot’s providing a free, secure bike valet parking area throughout.
The festival runs from 10am till 6pm — entry is ‘pay what you can’.
