16th Annual European Festival Seeking Volunteers from European Community!

Sept. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- 20th September 2012 – Vancouver, BC - The EuroFest BC Society still holds their monthly planning sessions at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby, although the event now takes place at the nearby Swangard Stadium.  The first meeting on September 10th had representatives from 17 countries.  The Board is hoping that any other country that wishes to participate would sign up by the end of the year. The Board then thanked everyone for the hard work that made the 2012 Festival such a success and a former Board member gave an inspirational speech encouraging everyone to find more volunteers within their countries and societies.  

“Remember a personal request or just sitting down with someone for a cup of coffee goes a long way!”

The Board still needs a secretary who can attend a monthly Board meeting and the monthly planning meeting, and at least 10 Managers.  Managers take responsibility for a specific area of the festival, such as the food tent, the cultural booths, the beer tent, the marketplace or children’s area etc.  Parking is also a very important aspect, especially on the day of the event itself.  Anyone with a specific talent who would like to participate, is encourage to attend the next planning session in November or send a request to info@eurofestbcsociety.com. Managers are expected to attend the monthly planning session each time.

The next European Festival will take place Saturday, May 25th, 2013, where Europeans have the opportunity to showcase their unique customs, traditions, cuisine & heritage.  Just as in the past 15 years, the event will offer a children’s entertainment area with a bouncy castle, as well as a marketplace and a trade show. Each participating country is required to decorate a cultural table showcasing local Metro Vancouver non-profits, charities & cultural organizations, and receives 25 minutes on stage to sing, dance or play music that represents the country they are from.  Those who want to can sign up to sell traditional food and drink, always a very popular part of the Festival.  Activities will include a flag parade, performances on a second stage in the food area, and entertainment in the beer tent.

EuroFest BC Society is a non-profit organization that manages the European Festival. The first European Festival took place in 1998 at the premises of Alliance Francaise in Vancouver with the intention to promote and educate Greater Vancouver residents about the diversity and richness of European cultural spectrum without travelling to Europe. Ten countries presented their national customs, local traditions and original cuisine. At the 1999 event in Granville Island, ten new countries joined, doubling the participants up to twenty European countries. In 2001, the Festival was held at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby for the first time, where they stayed for 10 years.  More information can be seen on www.eurofestbcsociety.com.