Manitoba is well known for its many summer community festivals. Because our winters are long and at times unforgiving, the popularity of summer community gatherings is understandable. These events often reflect the nature and history of the community in which they are held. Many have an agricultural theme reflective of the region and others celebrate a particular heritage like the Ukrainian Festival, the Icelandic Festival and of course Steinbach’s own Pioneer Days, held at the Mennonite Heritage Village on August long weekend.
When the City of Steinbach first initiated the Summer in the City Festival, it probably didn’t know exactly what it would grow in to. There was a desire to have a downtown summer event but beyond the expected midway rides and food trucks, there were a lot of unknowns.
What quickly became apparent is that the now annual event was intended to reflect the diversity of the growing city and judging by last weekends experience, it is doing just that. One of the most popular parts of Summer in the City is the Cultures in the City portion of the event. This features a stage where throughout the weekend a variety of different artists perform representing their various cultures. Surrounding the stage are food stations featuring food from a number of different countries. Here you truly see how much Steinbach has changed over the years and the diversity that is present in our City.
The Cultures in the City stage also hosts every year at Summer in the City a celebration of new citizenship. Every year, new Canadians get on stage, share about their journey to Canadian citizenship and are welcomed by the community. Each year the stories are inspiring and a reminder of what a great privilege it is to be Canadian.
The festival also has a wide variety of booths that feature sport, art and the creativity of many local residents. Many different crafts are on display and presented for sale as well as locally made food products. While we sometimes see these featured at local stores or at other summer markets, seeing so many displayed in one setting on the main street of Steinbach was a reminder of how many talented people call our city home.
Because the weather was beautiful this past weekend, thousands of people were also able to enjoy the rides and all of the musical acts that were on the mainstage throughout the day as well as the feature acts on Friday and Saturday. And on Sunday, Worship in the City took over the mainstage for a community church service. This is a wonderful reflection of the heritage of faith that the City of Steinbach was founded on and that still plays an integral part in the community today.
Overall, the Summer in the City annual event has turned into more than just a celebration of the summer season or a reason for the community to gather together. It has really become a showcase for what Steinbach has become. A diverse community which is filled with creativity and culture that still honours and remembers its heritage.
Thank you to the many organizers and volunteers who work all year long to prepare for the event and to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
