It’s almost time for the annual Carrousel of the Nations in Windsor-Essex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the 44th year of the festival and the Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex says it is proud to host the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special launch event was held Tuesday, showcasing 20 communities as officials encourage the public to visit as many villages as they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organizers celebrate four villages in the 44th installment the Carrousel of the Nations in Leamington, Ont., on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Bob Bellacicco \/ CTV Windsor)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur hope is that visitors experience as many new traditions and immerse themselves in as many new cultures as possible\u201d, explained co-chair Allison Johnson, \u201cFamilies and friends can take in three or four villages together and really get a sense of the diversity of our area. We want that tradition to keep growing as well- the idea of \u2018carrouseling\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom its beginnings, Carrousel was about travel and movement; about visiting new places and people,\u201d added Multicultural Council executive director Kathleen. \u201cWe want the community to go and be a part of all that our cultural organizations have to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attendees will have the opportunity to \u2018Carrousel\u2019 over two weekends \u2013 from Friday, June 14 to Sunday June 16, and Friday June 21 to Sunday June 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The African Village is also making its debut in Windsor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will have everything from braiding, head wrap tying to Nigerian games,\u201d said Jasmine Clark. \u201cWe’re going to have a fashion show. We will have dancers, music. We’re going to have someone teaching the dances and a whole dance segment. It’s going to be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are four new villages this year in Leamington. The Caldwell First Nation, Italian, Lebanese, and Mexican Villages will all take place on Saturday, June 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are so thrilled to expand, both with new cultures and to a new area, and Leamington has such rich, unique, and active ethnic communities,\u201d said Thomas. \u201cIt\u2019s such a great fit, and we are looking forward to an amazing 44th year of Carrousel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carrousel of the Nations celebrates the diversity and cultural identities of the ethnic groups of Windsor-Essex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the only ethnic and multicultural festival in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event is a coordinated event between the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County and individual ethnic communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n