Marking Canada's cultural mosaic at the Sudbury arena

Canada Day seems like the perfect day to celebrate the various ethnic backgrounds that make up this country.

"A cultural mosaic" is what the President of theSudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, Dr. RemiOgundimu,callsthe event held every July 1at theSudbury community arena.

Thegroup has been holding the culturalevent there since the mid 60s.

"Different ethnic groups performing and also [visitors]try different foods from different countries, where instead of having to go to five different restaurants you have them all in one spot." said Ogundimu.She added that it's meant to get peoplemixing and mingling,and havinga joyous celebration of Canada Day.

The Canada Day festivities begin with a parade from Memorial Park to the arena. Prior to the welcomingspeeches there is First Nation hand drumming.

There are11food vendors offering various ethnic foods to visitors. On the stage there are cultural performancesshowcasing dancing or musicfrom various backgrounds.

Sudbury:Embracing and welcoming community

Dr Ogundimu calls Sudbury an embracing and welcomingcommunity.

Past President of the association, Dr.RayuduKokaagrees. Hehas been inCanada for 30years and loves Sudbury.

He says he loves being a part of a community that celebrates and accepts people from all differentbackgroundsandwalks of life.

"We're all together. No matter who we are [or]where we came from. We're all global. Sudbury enjoys multiculturalism. This city is great." said Dr.Koka.

Canada Day event chair,Zenaida Odense,says the association hopes to make next year's festivities at the arena its largest yet. That's because in2017 Canada will mark its150th birthday.

She says all the ethnic groups represented at the Canada Day event are always so proud to showcase their food, wares andentertainment.

"When we are here we belong; we feelwe belong to this country now. We still have our own heritage, that is being preserved, but Canada is now our country." saidOdense.

It's a lot of work to put the multicultural event together, said Dr. Ogundimu. However, she added thateveryone looks forward to it, every Canada Day.

Between 2,000 and 5,000people usually attendthe celebration.