Traditionally, the festival has been held inside the Living Arts Centre. Due to scheduling conflicts, organizers decided to move this year's event out-of-doors, to the Central Library Square.
The festival runs July 26-27 and is entering its fourth year. It will feature a variety of cultural displays promoting many different aspects of Chinese culture from food to dance and martial arts to music.
Organizers of the event are hoping those curious about the country that introduced the world to critical innovations including paper, the compass, gunpowder and printing, among countless others, will swing by and check things out.
"The festival is geared towards anyone who wants to come out and experience Chinese culture," said festival co-chair Lily Van, adding that Chinese make up the third-largest ethnic population in Mississauga. "Mississauga is a very multicultural city and we want to reach out to as many people as possible."
According to 2006 census data, Mississauga's Chinese population was about 45,000.
During a press conference to promote the festival, Mississauga-Streetsville MP Wajid Khan made an appearance to announce $20,000 in funding for the event.
"Every year, the festival brings together thousands of people to celebrate Chinese heritage, arts and culture," said Khan. "I believe this is the first time you've received the funding and I'm glad the government could accommodate your request."
Festival organizers said the money would ease the financial burden of presenting the two-day event. Van said the expenses for the festival have been much higher than in previous years because its now held outdoors.
Van said, despite the move outside, the programming remains the same. In fact, there will be more vendors and food booths as well as arts and crafts displays and workshops.
Hourly entertainment performances take place on the main stage between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. They include dragon and lion dances, a discussion on feng shui, Cantonese opera and cultural dances as well as martial arts demonstrations by Northern Legs Southern Fists and the Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization, among others.
There will also be brush painting demonstrations, performers roaming through the crowd to entertain and a display of traditional Chinese garb.
Excitement is starting to mount now that the festival is just over two weeks away.
"I really hope people walk away from the festival with a wonderful experience of Chinese culture," said Irene Tse, executive director of the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses.
For more information, visit www.chineseartsfestival.com.
cclay@mississauga.net
