The festival has become very popular with Goulburn residents and with the many people who travel from Sydney, Canberra and the region to enjoy the entertainment and food. 

This year there are over 25 performances including from Scotland, Mexico, Africa, Pacific Islands, Philippines, Macedonia, Colombia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The festival will also feature three different bellydance groups – Tribal Spice, Quake and Gypsy Dreaming – as well as the popular Spicy Mums Dance Group from China, who were very popular at last year’s festival. 

The festival is truly a fun day for families, many spending the day under the shady trees of Belmore Park while enjoying the variety of entertainment and food on offer. Street food stalls include Italian wood-fired pizzas, Chinese dumplings, dishes from India, crepes from Romania, Canadian poutine (chips and different sauces), Turkish kebabs/gozleme, and a choice of Filipino sweets, local cakes, fudges and ice creams. Mamma’s Jamaican food van has some special treats to try, including jerk chicken, jerk pork, goat curry with Jamaican style veg in a burger or a wrap and also Freddo’s African food van has BBQ meats cooked the African way. 

The Goulburn Multicultural Centre organises the festival annually in partnership with Goulburn Mulwaree Council. It is a true community effort with lots of local volunteers contributing their time to make it a success. I am particularly proud of the communities who give their time to prepare performances and foods for everyone to enjoy. I will lead Afro Zumba for the beginning and in the end of the festival, so everyone can join in.