The sun rose and the world came home to London’s Victoria Park Thursday.
And that can only mean one thing — Sunfest.
The 17th edition of the four-day, world-class celebration of world music and culture opened under sunny skies, warm temperatures and a virtual tsunami of sensual stimulation.
Thousands of Londoners and people from as far away as the west coast, the United States, Quebec and the Maritimes and all points in between turned out for the first day to dance, taste cuisines from around the world and enjoy music.
For some, it was the first visit, but for many it was the 17th.
“I bought a T-shirt the first year and I still have it,” said Gord Smithers, a 43-year-old paramedic. “The music, the food, the people, the cultures — it’s all right here. The only time I was ever disappointed was when I had to work.”
Smithers was walking with Munira Lakhani, 41, who was born in Uganda before her parents fled to Canada during the uprising that brought Idi Amin to power in 1971.
“This shows the diversity, all the ethnic groups, the people who live in our community who come together to collaborate and celebrate their cultures,” said Lakhani.
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Sunfest executive and artistic director Alfredo Caxaj said he’s hoping to break attendance records this year, partly because of the line-up of musical talent — 35 groups — but also because the weather forecast is calling for nothing but sunshine and temperatures around 30 C.
Caxaj said the festival is gaining an international reputation for its importance, noting the American Bus Association lists Sunfest as one of the top 100 destinations in North America.
“But the most incredible thing that has happened is the social impact, bringing so many people in our community together of different cultures and race. It makes you proud,” he said.
Caxaj said the secret to keep the crowds coming is simple: “What keeps the festival fresh is that 90% of the groups every year are here for the first time.”
Among them this year was the Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin, which kicked off the musical deluge with their high-energy fusion of Bhangra, Celtic, Dub, Reggae and Electronica that got the crowd dancing and swaying.
The crowd at the stage swelled within minutes from a few hundred to several thousand.
The kick-off included words from local politicians and several sponsors, among them Mayor Joe Fontana.
“This is about a little guy with a big dream who made this happen,” said Fontana,
“Let’s party!”
Aside from the music, there’s not a lot that is new, but it is still delicious. A stroll down the long rows of food vendors is like a stroll around the world. Cuisines featured include all of Central America (try the juices at the Nicaraguan booth) and South America (the Peruvian chicken is delicious), from the Middle East through to India, Southeast Asia, China and Japan.
Of course there are the usual festival vendors with hats, jewelry, scarves and wraps, but also many artisans (check out the beautiful Nicaraguan pottery at The Fair Trade Alliance table facing Dufferin St.) selling their wares.
Among the first to plant a chair at the main stage were Robert and Judy Spencer, who’ve been attending Sunfest for several years.
“I plan my holidays around Sunfest and I tell my family if they want to come visit then they should come this week,” said the 56-year-old Brooklyn, New York native.
“The music gets better every year. We always come here with great expectations and never go home disappointed.”
