Open Source Content Management

Grampians Pyrenees Multicultural Festival

10 April 2011

11am - 4pm

Target Carpark Precinct, High Street, ARARAT

Free Entry

Join us for the second VIVA Grampians Pyrenees Multicultural Festival. Featuring a multicultural food market, music, arts and crafts, food stalls, Chinese dragon, wine, henna tattooing, jumping castle, dancing, workshops and demonstrations. The Mayor of Ararat Rural City and the Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Melbourne will officially open the festival and tentative performances include the Hong De Lion Chinese Lion Dancers, the Roving Wandering Butterfly (stiltwalker), dancers from the Dynamic Dance Studio, the Roving Wandering Clown (stiltwalker), Three Seas Polynesian Group, Roving Belly Dancer, Capoeira Dancers, the Bamboozle Circus and a demonstration by the Ararat Taekwondo Club.

Free workshops will inlcude paper lotus flower making, paper jumping frogs and a Capoeria workshop.

Please note that the line-up is subject to change and will be confirmed soon.

Please stay tuned for more information and the confirmed schedule.

Have a look at the information and pictures below to learn more about the 2010  inaugural festival. 

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Multicultural food and performances took centre stage at a new festival that came to the Ararat Performing Arts Centre Forecourt on 11th of April 2010. ‘Viva Grampians Pyrenees', was a celebration of the diverse mix of cultures living in this beautiful part of Victoria. The festival featured a diverse range of food stalls, many of which were staffed by migrants who have settled in the region. Stalls included food from: India, Indonesia, Argentina, Peru, China, Kuwait, Pakistan, Croatia, England, South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria, The Philippines, and Thailand.

Complimenting the delicious food was a range of performances including martial arts, dancing, singing and much more. On top of this were workshops running throughout the day teaching people how to make multicultural arts and crafts, and the audience even learnt a few moves from the performers. The kids were entertained by the jumping castle, face painting and henna tattooing. For the adults a selection of local wineries and breweries offered tastings and sales throughout the day.

The event was hosted by ABC radio presenter Dominic Brine and the Honourable Raul Hernandez, Philippine Consul General of Melbourne, opened the festival. Please click on the event schedule link below to see a list of all guests, workshops and performers.

The event was well attended by locals and visitors to the area and was a great success. Click here to listen to interviews from people who enjoyed the day. Please see the link below to download the Viva Grampians Pyrenees Recipe book and to learn more about the festival.