One of the most popular events on Windsor-Essex's summer calendar is getting bigger.
The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC) officially unveiled the lineup for the 44th Carrousel of the Nations at a media event Tuesday at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre. Representatives from the 20 nationalities and cultures taking part in this year's carrousel provided displays of clothing and artifacts, as well as samplings of some of the food that will be served during the event. Carrousel of the Nations runs over two consecutive weekends beginning Friday, June 14, with the theme "Celebrating Culture, Treasuring Tradition".
The Carrousel is the oldest continuing ethnic festival in Ontario, with cultural "villages" having taken place in Windsor since 1976, but Allison Johnson, a co-chair of Carrousel, said five new cultures will join the lineup, four of them in the county.
"The MCC and Carrousel of the Nations is excited to welcome African, Caldwell First Nation, Lebanese, Italian and Mexican Villages to Carrousel 2019," said Johnson.
The African Village makes its debut at 3170 Walker Road during the second weekend, beginning June 21. The remaining four will be in Leamington, all on Saturday, June 15. Alberto Bernal-Acero, Mexican consul general in Leamington, said they are eager to become a part of the Carrousel family.
"We will have plenty of Mexican food, we will have some images from the wonders of Mexico, and the opportunity to have the Mexican culture in a nutshell. We'll be waiting for you," said Bernal-Acero.
In addition to villages taking place in Windsor and Leamington, the Macedonian Village will happen in LaSalle at St. Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church during the first weekend.
A complete listing of all the Carrousel villages, as well as when they will be held, is available on the festival's official website.
