The 14th annual Grey Bruce One World Festival: Colouring Our Future, held on Wednesday, June 19, was a remarkable success, celebrating diversity and belonging with record-breaking attendance and vibrant community participation. The festival welcomed over 900 attendees, making it the largest gathering in the event’s history.
The free festival featured a variety of activities, including cultural performances, discussions, language education, live music, and more. All activities were aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and promoting understanding among diverse communities by emphasizing educational and experiential components.
Key Highlights:
- Opening Ceremony: Colleen Purdon kicked off the day recognizing Juneteenth, Pride Month, and National Indigenous History Month. MPP Rick Byers (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound constituency), remarks in absentia from MP Alex Ruff, and Suneet Kukreja, Owen Sound city councillor, all spoke to the importance and beauty of diversity and belonging. And the Grade one and two students from St. Dominique Savio sang the national anthem in French for the hundreds of students and community members who attended.
- Performances and Presenters: Attendees enjoyed presentations from diverse groups such as The Blue Locker Project, M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, the Giche-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden, GB Newcomer & Immigrant Women’s Collective, Special Olympics Owen Sound, and the South East Grey Community Health Centre 2S-LGBTQQIAP+ Connection, to name a few. Performances were just as inspiring, and the crowd witnessed innovative and creative music and dance from St. Dominique Savio and the Kepple Sarawak School, fantastic tunes from the Reach choir, and numerous other acts throughout the day. More than 25 presenters and performers showcased the rich tapestry of our community and engaged with students and community members alike.
- Film Festival: This year the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library hosted the One World Film Festival, where eight short films showcased themes such as the immigrant experience, self-acceptance, and resolving conflicts. Facilitators May Ip and Joceyn Lernout (who also had a film of her own in the festival) led students in discussions around each film and allowed youth space to consider differing world views.
- Community Art Project: Led by Heather Travis and hosted by the TOM, hundreds of students and community members had the chance to be a part of the bigger picture. Full of colours and hand-prints, the final eight foot circular community art piece will be showcased in the TOM during the summer.
“The Grey Bruce One World Festival extends its heartfelt thanks to its sponsors and partners, including The City of Owen Sound, Canadian Heritage, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce, Grey Bruce Settlement & Language Services, Tom Thomson Art Gallery (TOM), Bruce Power, Community Living Owen Sound and District, Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, Owen Sound Police Service, Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Upper Canada Stretchers, and Community Foundation Grey Bruce. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion helped create a welcoming and enriching experience for all attendees,” said organizers.
The success of this festival was due in large part to the dedication of committee volunteers who worked tirelessly leading up to the event, as well as student volunteers from East Ridge.
“The organizers are already looking ahead to next year’s event! The Grey Bruce One World Festival is committed to continuing this important work and building on the success of this year’s festival. We look forward to creating more opportunities for connection and understanding in the future. If you’re interested in being a part of the One World team, head to the website for more information,” said organizers.
For more information and updates visit greybruceoneworldfestival.org or follow on Facebook at Grey Bruce One World Festival.
