Kelowna Folkfest Marks 50 Years of Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Kelowna, BC – July 1, 2025

Kelowna Folkfest, the region’s largest and longest-running indoor multicultural celebration, proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary this Canada Day at Prospera Place. Since its founding in 1974 by the late Mr. Ben Lee, Folkfest has brought communities together through music, dance, food, and cultural expression, becoming a cornerstone of Kelowna’s civic life.

“This milestone year is a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of inclusion and cultural pride that defines our community,” said Elna von Dach, Chair of the 2025 Folkfest Committee. “For half a century, Folkfest has remained a space where diversity is not only welcomed but celebrated.”

The 2025 Folkfest drew thousands of attendees, highlighting the community’s strong connection to this annual tradition. The program featured 17 performance groups representing diverse cultural heritages through folk dance, singing, martial arts, and interactive drumming.

One of the day’s most memorable moments was the Canada Day Drumming Celebration at 11:30 a.m., where attendees participated using free rattle drums distributed on-site. The performance was also livestreamed, allowing audiences across Canada to join in this vibrant celebration of national unity and multicultural harmony.

The festival also held its annual cake-cutting ceremony, a cherished tradition marking Canada Day and celebrating the community spirit that Folkfest has embodied for the past five decades. Following the ceremony, dignitaries—including Mayor Tom Dyas, MP Stephen Fuhr, MP Dan Albas, MLA Gavin Dew, MLA Kristina Loewen, RCMP Acting Superintendent Chris Goebel, and Kelowna City Councillors Maxine DeHart, Gord Lovegrove, and Loyal Wooldridge—joined the Folkfest Chair, Elna von Dach, in serving slices of the giant Canada Day cake to attendees, creating a warm and memorable moment of connection between civic leaders and the public.

A highlight of the ceremony was Mayor Dyas presenting a commemorative award to the Okanagan Hungarian Society in recognition of their participation in Kelowna Folkfest since its founding in 1974. The award honoured their long-standing commitment to cultural preservation and public celebrations.

Other attractions included a 50th Anniversary Photo Booth, Global Village exhibits, and a range of family-friendly activities. Admission was free or by donation, with free commemorative tote bags given to donors.

The event was co-emceed by Councillor Ron Cannan and Councillor Mohini Singh, who kept the program flowing with warmth and enthusiasm, engaging the crowd throughout the day. In addition to stage performances, attendees enjoyed a multicultural food fair with ethnic food booths serving a wide range of global flavours—including Chinese, Egyptian, Filipino, Hungarian, East Indian, Japanese, Persian, Ukrainian and Vietnamese cuisine.

The 50th anniversary has been marked by widespread recognition from all levels of government, including congratulatory letters from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of British Columbia, and the Mayor of Kelowna—each acknowledging Folkfest’s significant contributions to fostering community spirit and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

To further honour this legacy, a special commemorative display is currently on view at Kelowna City Hall until September 12, 2025, featuring archival photographs, memorabilia, and stories chronicling Folkfest’s 50-year journey.

Special Thanks:

Folkfest extends heartfelt gratitude to its volunteers, performers, supporters, and sponsors. Special thanks to:

City of Kelowna, Canadian Heritage, Festivals Kelowna, Asian Heritage Okanagan, OCCA Communities Association, Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty, and Global Citizen Events.

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2025 Folkfest Committee:

• Elna von Dach, Chair

• Fei Liu, Vice Chair

• Linda Kovach, Secretary

• Julia Proulx, Treasurer

• Steven Finkleman, Marriana Chen, Andy Wang, Noushin Mahmoudpour, Directors

For more information, visit www.kelownafolkfest.ca or follow Kelowna Folkfest on Facebook.

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Media Contact:

Fei Liu

Vice Chair, Kelowna Folkfest Committee

778-228-8660 | ed@occabc.ca

Photos authorized for publication.

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