The committee's target was 1,000 to 1,500 but the self-imposed target was 3,000.
That was the way Angela Simmons and Pam Gunnlaugson described their attendance goals for the first-ever cultural festival in southeast Saskatchewan that took place in Estevan over the past weekend.
Conservative estimates indicate that well over 3,500 people made their way through the Collage Cultural Festival venues on Friday through Sunday, which surpassed everyone's expectations. That didn't include a Thursday evening kickoff coffee house experience that was also greeted with strong attendance and enthusiasm.
There were no major glitches either, which was a welcomed situation. Since it was a precedent-setting event, there very well could have been several major goof-ups, but none really happened.
"The food booths sold out a little earlier than expected, but that's a good thing I guess," said Simmons who was the project co-ordinator for the multicultural entertainment and social event. "It was a true learning experience for all of us and when you start at ground zero, you should expect some big problems to emerge but they didn't."
"Naturally we could have used more volunteers but there were lots of events on this past weekend so the volunteer forces were in high demand everywhere and from what I hear, Estevan and area supported everything that was out there, not just our festival," she added.
Gunnlaugson, southeast Saskatchewan's immigration and settlement co-ordinator, said "Estevan came together this time and embraced diversity."
The two women said the concept grew out of a provincial program initiated by Saskatchewan's immigration division of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour called Community Connections. The local committee applied for a $37,500 grant to get a project underway and it was successful. So then the next big hurdle was getting the planning done and the programs underway within a short time frame.
Simmons said she was hired to come aboard on January 25 and immediately set out to form focus groups to get a clearer concept of just what could happen with an ethnic mix of newcomers trying to blend in with a general population under one banner.
"We didn't nix anything at the start. Our simple goal was to promote diversity and cultural awareness. It was the goal to make our new citizens feel more comfortable here," said Simmons.
"I heard it on the dance floor on Saturday night that our newcomers enjoyed the opportunity," said Gunnlaugson. "Keeping in mind that it was not just Estevan that was involved, but a whole regional cultural event was happening, we had to touch base with the regular residents in the process."
The two women confirmed that this was a "one-time event," in terms of provincial support, so if it were to be repeated, it would require even more community support.
What they did get though, was tremendous volunteer and financial support once the details of the event started to emerge. And those details were a moving target. Simmons said one of the most difficult tasks was to get the communications out to the community as events unfolded.
"Every time we picked up a new sponsor, then we added to the program, even up to last Wednesday, things were changing and evolving. So as our budget expanded, we could do more but at the same time it was hard to release information and keep everyone updated. But I'll tell you this region certainly came together to make it happen," Simmons said, noting that the final budgeted support amounted to around $100,000 with other agencies gaining some qualifying finances to add to the events as well as local and regional businesses and committees.
"I believe we could have it again, perhaps rotate it with another community. I know I'd definitely like to see it happen again," said Simmons. "But I also realize that Estevan and this whole area is very, very busy so that means taking precious time away from busy people."
Simmons said that as the program grew in scope and size, and performers were booked from Regina and elsewhere,
"I had to be blunt and honest with the outside performers regarding expectations because we didn't have any. They knew that I was now chasing a ball that was quickly rolling down hill but I think the performers we brought in really enjoyed the experience they had here. Most had great audiences and a lot of them toured the exhibits and booths and enjoyed being here."
While the main stage and cultural exhibits were housed in the Estevan Curling Club, a special Kids' Zone play area plus stage shows and food booth were located in the Civic Auditorium and that too, was a huge hit thanks in large part to Spectra Credit Union's participation. A multi-cultural beer garden was added at the nearby Exhibition Hall while a kids' and teenage cabaret was staged at the Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadet Hall on Friday night.
Brenda Lyons, who spent a good deal of time at the Kids' Zone, said they were particularly busy on Saturday.
"The kids would come, play and then they'd be gone but we'd see them back again a little later which tells me they were having a good time. The performers for the kids' shows were great," she said.
A cabaret that attracted over 700 people wound down the Saturday activities and on Sunday there were more attractions at the public library and local restaurants plus the celebration with a multi-cultural soccer game and football game at Woodlawn Regional Park in the afternoon. There were also Riderville events such as watermelon carving contests and field goal kicking competitions in support of Estevan Minor Football.
