Mississauga’s signature festival offers a taste of various cultures

Canada’s largest multicultural festival returns to Mississauga just over one month from now.

Carassauga Festival of Cultures, in its 37th year, runs May 27-29 at various venues across Mississauga, as usual.

Carassauga chair Marek Ruta is scheduled to appear before Mississauga councillors at next Wednesday’s (April 27) general committee meeting to talk about details of this year’s three-day event.

“Taste ethnic dishes, see cultural performances and experience multiculturalism” is the theme associated with this year’s large-scale event, which will celebrate and showcase 23 countries.

Things get started on the Friday night, May 27, with the Opening Ceremony, Parade of Nations, fireworks and a musical performance. The show runs from 8 to 11 p.m. at Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

The various pavilions don’t open to the public until the following two days, May 28 and 29. They’re open Saturday and Sunday starting at noon each day. Festivities run until midnight on the Saturday and until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Carassauga pavilions are set up at four locations in the city: Paramount Fine Foods Centre, Canadian Coptic Centre, Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga and St. Sava Serbian Centre.

Carassauga passports cost $15, with children age 12 and under admitted free of charge.

The passport entitles the holder to:

• unlimited entry to all cultural pavilions throughout the weekend
• access to live performances, food vendors and kids’ activities
• free rides on MiWay buses during festival hours
• free rides on Carassauga shuttle buses during festival hours
• free parking at all locations