The new executive director of the Guelph and District Multicultural Festival has big shoes to fill, after its former president Delfino Callegari stepped down last year.
“He felt he needed to step down and retire,” said Meher Parakh, who began her new role as executive director for the festival in September.
This year marks the thirty-second anniversary of the iconic festival, which is scheduled for June 8 to 10 at Riverside Park.
Four years ago, when Parakh and her family immigrated to Canada, she volunteered with the festival.
“My kids did as well. We did that the first summer we were here and it was a really nice way to meet people,” said Parakh.
It takes about 140 volunteers to operate the festival, which attracts about 20,000 people a year, Parakh said.
Many of those volunteers are new immigrants.
“When newcomers come, it gives them somewhere to network and meet other people and other cultures and talk about their own experience,” said Parakh.
She added, “a lot of times, when newcomers come to Canada they need Canadian experience. This is a great way of getting that experience, and you are doing something fun.”
Parakh said the festival couldn’t exist without the help of its many volunteers, many of whom bring their own unique skill sets.
“It’s almost like it’s charmed sometimes — when you need a specific task, the perfect person walks through the door. It’s really weird. I don’t know how to describe it, it must be some kind of Guelph magic,” said Parakh.
The festival is always in need of volunteers, noted Parakh.
Originally from India, Parakh spent the last 28 years working in branding for Gulf Air airline and in marketing for Ferrari in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
For her first year as executive director, Parakh has lined up events with a Samba band and another with a belly dancing troupe to teach different styles of dance and encourage people to join in.
“We wanted to do something more interactive, so people don’t just come to eat, watch something and go off — we wanted people to participate,” she said. “It’s not just about food.”
Of course, the event will also feature about 22 international food vendors in the food tent, as well as beer and wine.
In addition to the belly dancing and Samba band, this year’s festival also features highland dancing, Yoga, a midway and martial arts displays. A full schedule can be found on the festival’s web site.
The festival was once a staple of Guelph’s downtown, but moved to Riverside Park in 1997.
As Guelph has grown and become more diverse, so has the festival, said Parakh.
Although he has officially retired, Callegari still gets calls from Parakh for advice.
“He’s still my go to. Every time I am stuck I give him a shout,” said Parakh.
