Pakistan Festival

Dear Community Members,

The Pakistan Festival Organizing Committee extends to you and your family the warmest of invitations to participate in the 2nd Annual Pakistan Festival to be held Sunday August 8th, 2010 from 11 am to 9 pm at Holland Park in Surrey (King George Hwy and Old Yale Road).

The Pakistani community in British Columbia has been growing in both strength and numbers for the past number of years. On several occasions each year the community comes together to organize national, cultural and religious events which serves the purpose of bringing Pakistanis together as well as introducing Pakistan to the greater Canadian community.

August 14, 1947 marks the day when Pakistan was born and entered the world as an independent and sovereign nation. To celebrate this highly significant day the Pakistani-Canadian community decided to organize a "Pakistan Festival" to showcase the cultural heritage, diversity, geography, music, dress, cuisine, customs and traditions of all corners of Pakistan.

The inaugural Pakistan Festival in British Columbia was held at Holland Park Surrey on August 16th, 2009. The First event of its kind in the Lower Mainland, the Festival was a resounding success with an estimated attendance of 10,000 people representing the cultural mosaic Canada prides itself on. This year’s Festival promises to build upon the successes of the 2009 event while adding new and exciting attractions. It is organized by the Pakistan Festival Organizing Committee, registered as a non-profit society. The Committee comprises representatives of various Pakistani Associations in BC including the Pakistan-Canada Association, Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association, Pakistan Youth Council and the Pakistani Canadian Women Society. It also has the full support of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Vancouver.

Some of the main attractions of this year's Festival are:

An expanded food pavilion will be the highlight of this year’s festival showcasing the taste of not only traditional Pakistani dishes but other local and ethnic flavors. Traditional Pakistani items like Chicken Tandoori, Lahori Fish, Chapli Kebabs, Heleem, Halwa puri, Dahi burra, Gol gappas, Firni in clay pots, Kashmiri tea, etc will be sold at the food court. In addition, Mexican Tacos, Indian Dosas and Afghani barbecue stalls are also part of the food court. For children, fried chicken, assorted ice cream, pop corn, cotton candy and smoothies will be on-hand.
Tons of activities and attractions for children. These include magic shows, bouncy castles, free games, face painting and a special activity tent where hands on activities and games are being arranged for young kids.
Special music performances by American singer Janice Miller and local pop band Daksh will cap of the event with the sounds of traditional and popular Pakistani songs. Other onstage performances/activities include tabla performances, fashion show and our popular 'Got Talent' competition.
Stalls selling Pakistani products and handicrafts, clothes, jewelry, toys, books, spices and other items will once again fill the park.
Raffle draws for special prizes will be ongoing throughout the event.

The importance of this event goes beyond providing a venue for families to meet and have fun; it provides Pakistani-Canadians with a voice and platform to promote understanding amongst other communities and faith groups. It is our hope that through this initiative Canadians of all origins will be able to engage in meaningful dialogue and gain a better understanding of the people of Pakistan while gaining a greater appreciation for the unique culture of Pakistan. Above all, this event provides an opportunity for strengthening friendships and cooperation between those Canadians of Pakistani origin and the greater Canadian community.

Your attendance at this annual event is very important for its success. Please spread the word around among your friends and colleagues from all communities. Please mark this day in your calendar. And come with empty stomachs, hefty appetite and a spirity to enjoy and have fun and to celebrate the independence day of Pakistan. We look forward to welcoming you all at the Festival on August 8th, 2010.

Sincerely,
Pakistan Festival Organizing Committee

Date: Sunday, August 8 2010
Location: Holland Park, Surrey, BC
Details: www.pakistanfestival.com