After five colourful, creative and successful years of hosting the New Moon Festival at Dougall Park in Gibsons, the New Moon Festival Society is re-envisioning its format.
Each year, dedicated volunteers take many months of full-time planning to prepare for the one-day event and run the all-day festival. The festival has been enjoyed by hundreds of families who attended over the years.
For 2011, the current board has elected to offer a series of smaller events that celebrate Asian cultures and provide creative forms of community, peace and cultural education on the Coast. A Lunar New Year feast and Taiko performance kicked off the Year of the Rabbit.
Upcoming events include an Indian cooking lesson and feast on Friday, June 24, followed by the Taiko Obon Dance with the Dead Celebration on Saturday, July 2, in Dougall Park. This Japanese Obon Festival welcomes costumes, drag (come and meet Empress Orchid Cherry), community dancing, taiko drumming, singing, lanterns and community celebration. This is an all-weather bring-your-own-picnic event, and admission is by donation.
The New Moon Festival Society wishes to thank all our volunteers, sponsors, performers and enthusiasts for your contributions big and small over the first five years.
Please get involved, continue to grow with us and participate. For more information or to get involved in our 2011 events, please contact the New Moon Festival Society at 604-740-8094 or check out our website (soon to be updated) at www.newmoonfestivalsociety.org.
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