Inspiring cultural diversity, composing a harmonious symphony together

—Chronicle of the 2026 Guelph Multicultural Festival

On June 12, 2026, the lingering gloom cleared as bright sunlight pierced the clouds and blanketed the earth. The beautiful Speed River meandered with rippling blue waves, making the small town look like a picturesque painting. Guelph's annual Multicultural Festival was grandly held in the scenic Riverside Park. Diverse ethnic groups from around the world gathered to celebrate this cultural extravaganza.

Founded by the Guelph Multicultural Centre in 1978, the Guelph Multicultural Festival is celebrating its significant 40th anniversary this year. Over the past four decades, this traditional event, deeply beloved by community residents, has built a broad platform for mutual understanding and appreciation among different cultures, allowing multiculturalism to shine even more brightly in Guelph, a city full of inclusion and vitality.

Culture is enriched through exchange, and ethnic groups become inclusive through understanding. Every year, the Multicultural Festival attracts more than 20,000 residents and visitors, showcasing Guelph's rich cultural diversity through wonderful cultural performances, international cuisine, specialty booths, and community organization displays.

As in previous years, this year's event features distinctive ethnic music and dance performances, live entertainment, craft and commercial booths, interactive games, amusement rides, a dedicated family activity zone, and a wide variety of youth activities. The Guelph Chinese Canadian Association is an active co-organizer every year.

This year's opening ceremony was uniquely distinctive compared to previous years. The Guelph Chinese Canadian Association's waist drum team, which was newly established just half a year ago, was invited to lead the opening ceremony parade. Led by the association's flag, they marched proudly at the very front of the procession, becoming the center of attention for the entire event.

The Guelph Chinese Association Waist Drum Team was established at the end of 2025. After more than a month of careful rehearsal, the waist drum team scheduled its first public performance at the Guelph Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala. It was precisely because of their wonderful debut and infectious performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage that the waist drum team won high praise from the head of the Guelph Multicultural Council and was invited to serve as the lead team for the opening parade of this year's Multicultural Festival.

Dressed in red and white traditional costumes with bright red silk sashes tied around their waists, the team members looked energetic and radiant. Accompanied by the powerful and impassioned drumbeats of "dong-ba, dong-ba, dong-dong-ba, dong-ba," they brandished their drumsticks in unison with magnificent momentum, enthusiastically showcasing the unique charm of traditional Chinese waist drum art to the audience.

The resounding sound of drums echoed across the park, as vibrant costumes, flying red silk ribbons, and passionate drumbeats intertwined, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a climax. The audience responded with rounds of applause, and many tourists stopped to take photos and videos, capturing this wonderful moment. The entire opening ceremony became even more brilliant and eye-catching thanks to this vibrant splash of Chinese red.

This year's Multicultural Festival also brought exciting news: Mr. Ming Dong, former president of the Guelph Chinese Canadian Association (GCCA), current head of the GCCA Golf Club, and bridge club instructor, has won this year's Multicultural Award and will be recognized at the opening ceremony.

Mr. Dong Ming's award is not only the best testimony to his years of hard work, but also a vivid reflection of the achievements made by the Guelph Chinese community in actively integrating into the mainstream society, promoting cultural exchange, and serving the community.

During the opening ceremony gala performance, the Guelph Chinese Canadian Association Folk Dance Troupe was invited to the stage to perform "Love for Changbai Mountain," showcasing the unique charm and elegance of Chinese culture to all sectors of society. Featuring graceful choreography, unique costumes and styling, and beautiful accompaniment music, the dance created a rich ethnic flair and an aesthetic ambiance, winning warm applause from the audience.

Two young hosts for the band for a day. Thank you to President Sharon for securing this opportunity for the Reading Buddies Club!

The beauties of the yoga club struck a powerful yet graceful pose in front of the photographer.

Members of the Tai Chi Club gave a Tai Chi demonstration on the big lawn, perfectly interpreting the true essence of Tai Chi—defeating a thousand pounds with four ounces through seemingly simple moves, which attracted many spectators to stop and watch.

Upon receiving the notice from the organizing committee, the Chinese Association promptly submitted a list of participating performances, arranging a total of 10 acts featuring various artistic forms such as ethnic dance, solo singing, instrumental performance, Tai Chi, and yoga dance.

The show features both the innocent and joyful songs and laughter of children and the wonderful dances of aunts well over seventy years old, fully demonstrating the enthusiasm and style of different age groups participating in cultural activities. Some friends joked that this short one-hour performance encompasses three thousand years of culture.

Hailed as Guelph's Yin Xiumei, soprano singer Chen Shumin performed the solo song "Autumn Wind Ode". Her commanding stage presence and professional performance amazed everyone in the audience!

Children's duet jazz dance "Shake the Room" is full of energy; the dynamic rhythm combined with synchronized dance steps showcases the children's confidence and passion.

Children's ethnic dance performed by the children of the Guelph Chinese Language School: The Breeze Blows the Fragrance of Rice Across Both Banks

Zhou Shuping performs Taiji sword for everyone: "Ink Affinity"

The Guelph Ethnic Dance Club presents the dance "Love for Changbai Mountain," portraying the magnificent scenery and ethnic customs of Changbai Mountain with graceful dance postures. With its distinct characteristics and wonderful performance, the work became the first program explicitly selected by the organizing committee.

Dance yoga "Hongyan", which combines dance and yoga

Two graceful young women perform the Guzheng duet "The Butterfly Lovers." The melodious and lingering sound of the zithers delicately interprets the poignant love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Their seamless coordination and intertwined emotions fully showcase the beauty of traditional Chinese music.

The dance "On the Field of Hope" performed by the Sunset Club—with such cheerful postures and graceful steps, who would have guessed that the performers are all septuagenarians?!

Song of the Huaxia Waist Drum Team

Poem / Huang Hailong

Waist drums roar as they take the stage once more, the diverse prologue opens at this very hour.

Red banners wave around the front of the stage, while underfoot, flying feet shear the green turf.

The two columns cheer gladly as they cross, Their makeup and attire paired like hunting cavalry pacing back and forth.

Opening and curtain call, back-to-back championships; thunderous applause comes from the horizon.

Guelph Multicultural Festival

Poetry / Huang Hailong

The annual cultural festival is here, with cheering crowds and a magnificent spirit.

The stage shines, reflecting the sun and moon; flute and song echo, stirring the winds of heaven.

Ethnic groups join hands in sincere love, the Chinese Association takes the lead to hang a rainbow.

Light floats on the blue sky and the rivers and mountains are magnificent, living in leisure in the small town brings boundless joy.

Written by Grace Huang

2026-06-30