Peace, unity and music among themes at this year’s GlobalFest fireworks show
GlobalFest is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year as the annual fireworks and multicultural festival returns to Elliston Park in northeast Calgary.
The festival is set to run between Aug. 18 and 27 – and Calgarians should expect new participants in the fireworks festival – with an anti-war finale, numerous performances by multicultural groups in two of the main stages, a citizenship ceremony and lots of food.
Who will participate in the fireworks display, and what’s the finale about?
This year's fireworks display includes performances from India, Austria, France and Germany and the finale will focus on anti-war messages.
India’s fireworks display is called “Team India’s Journey through Various Popular Music Genres,” which promises to “bring the audience on a musical journey going through some of India’s top musical tracks.” The designer is Azan Morani, of Amir Morani Fireworks LLP.
Austria’s fireworks display is called “The Sound of Music,” which promises to take the viewer through a “emotional journey through Austria while showing the diversity of nature and music,” and says that an attentive viewer would see similarities to Canada. The designer of the show is Markus Jochum of Fireevent GMBH.
“Generation 80,” France's submission, will take the viewer through the greatest musical hits of the 1980s, and vows “make Elliston Park dance.” The designer of the show is Miguel Perez of the Etienne Lacroix Tous Aritificies Sa (Ruggieri).
The display from Germany is called “We are One” and it highlights the simple message that the “world is looking for peaceful unity and diversity.” The designer of the show is Florian Thomas Michaelis of Union Creatives.
Finally, the anti-war fireworks display is called “Wind of Change.” Kelly Guille of Archangel Fireworks Inc., the designer, says that there is no place in the current world for war, and that “we await the day that our leaders will stand in action, not only in words” to protect the people.
What about the performances by multicultural groups?
There will be numerous performances by groups on the two stages in GlobalFest: on the TD Main Stage and the Air Canada stage.
On the TD Main Stage, performers from the following will be performing:
- Phillippines;
- Indonesia;
- Blackfoot Crossing;
- China;
- India;
- Kurdistan;
- Bangladesh;
- Thailand;
- Chile;
- Japan;
- Senegal;
- Scotland;
- Turkiye (the new name for Turkey);
- Hungary;
- Francophonie Calgary;
- Iran;
- Brazil;
- Ukraine;
- Pakistan;
- Mexico;
- Venezuela; and
- Azerbaijian.
On the Air Canada Stage, performers from the following will be performing:
- Iran;
- China;
- India;
- Kurdistan;
- Thailand;
- Philippines;
- Chile;
- Indonesia;
- Japan;
- Mexico;
- Francophonie Calgary;
- Scotland;
- Blackfoot Crossing;
- Bangladesh;
- Hungary;
- Ukraine;
- Pakistan;
- Turkiye;
- Brazil;
- Venezuela; and
- Senegal.
What about the citizenship ceremony?
There will be a citizenship ceremony from 6 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. at the Air Canada Stage. This citizenship ceremony has been a “important part” of GlobalFest’s programming, and is in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
The citizenship ceremony is where permanent residents of Canada will be taking the Oath of Citizenship when it comes to Canada, as well as getting the citizenship certificate – as well as signing the Oath of Affirmation of Citizenship form, and singing the national anthem. Effectively, they will become citizens of Canada.
And what about the food?
There will be numerous food booths and food trucks, about 27 which will be participating. They are:
- Indonesian Kitchen;
- Phillippine Authentic Cuisine Kiosk;
- Taste of Vietnam;
- The Blues Delight;
- Uzu Ice Cream;
- Ami Tea;
- Caribbean Food Booth;
- Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen;
- Il Formo Vagabono Wood Fired Pizza;
- Greta Food Truck;
- Taiko Taco;
- WannaWaffle;
- Empanada Queen;
- Food Coma Elevated Street Food;
- Lil Orbits Mini Donuts;
- Sugar Creek Kettle Corn/Old Faire Gourmet Popcorn;
- The Nut Man Company;
- Bumble Bee Basket Inc.;
- Dumpling Heto;
- Family Squeezed Lemonade;
- So Yum Ehhh;
- Shahba Shawarma;
- Sugar Creek Kettle Corn/Old Faire Gourmet Popcorn;
- Arepas Ranch;
- Jane Bond BBQ;
- The Pie Guy; and
- Canadian Bear Balls.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.