'WE BRING THE WORLD TO YOU'

KIRTIDA KITCHEN CREDITS FESTIVAL FOR HELPING THEM GET STARTED

The 37th annual Guelph and District Multicultural Festival (GDMF) is set for June 9 to 11 in Riverside Park and promises to be bigger than ever. Executive director Cinthuja Leon said the familyfriendly event will appeal to all five senses.

"We have put this together with so much vision, passion and joy," said Leon. She hopes that people from all over the area will attend.

She said it's a great opportunity for expression and learning.

"There's a lot of crosscultural learning happening, a lot of joy through sharing your own culture, and showcasing the diversity," said Leon. "The most beautiful part is that it's family friendly."

Leon said there will be children's activities, facepainting, magicians, jugglers, mascots and characters, and of course, rides from Magical Midways.

Performances at the festival include music, dance and a fashion show. And Leon said not to forget the shopping and food. The event is also licensed.

Admission and many activities are free, and passes for the midway, food, drinks and other items are available for purchase.

"My target was to bring in more than 100 vendors," said Leon, who is striving to make Guelph's festival the biggest in the area.

She said they will have 60 commercial vendors, more than 21 food outlets and 25 not-for-profit groups from the community and more.

One food vendor returning to the GDMF this year is Guelph's own Kirtida Kitchen. Owner Hitesh Jagad said when they became a food vendor around 10 years ago, he and his wife were still cooking and catering from their basement.

"We had a chance to connect so much with the community," said Jagad. "It spread the word about us, our business, our name."

They established their takeout vegetarian restaurant storefront five years ago, after also vending for

five years at the Guelph Farmer's Market.

Jagad said they have learned a great deal about food safety and catering to customers with dietary needs. Kirtida Kitchen is 100 per cent vegetarian, 95 per cent vegan, and about 90 per cent gluten-free as well.

"We always take care that cross-contamination will not happen," said Jagad.

On a personal note, Jagad said the festival "boosted our energy, our motivation to keep doing what we are doing."

In fact, his wife, Kirtida Jagad said they have always attended the festival, whether they were a food

vendor or not.

"We go every year," said Kirtida. "It brings everyone together from different cultures."

Guelph residents are like family now to the couple, who also run a newspaper, in their first language, Gujarati, for people in Guelph and other cities in Ontario.

The paper is called "Dwani," which means a sound or "the voice," Jagad said.

"Community is everything to me," said Jagad. "If the community is not supporting a small business like ours, we might not survive here,"

Kirtida Kitchen will bring their popular dosa

and regular north Indian menu to the festival.

Jagad said the volunteers work hard to make the festival happen every year, and so do the many vendors.

"We bring the world to you," said Leon about the GDMF, and this year, they can also help locals get to them.

There will be a free Guelph Transit shuttle service, available on Saturday June 10, every hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Riders can catch the eastbound bus at Macdonell Street at Wilson Street and the northbound one at Woolwich Street and Marilyn Drive. Another new focus for the festival is "going green," said Leon. The festival will have a water wagon to refill your bottles, like in previous years, and are also offering free, secure bike valet parking for those who come by bicycle.

"We are, in a small way, doing what we can," said Leon.

The festival still needs more volunteers, so to learn more about the GDMF or get ready to volunteer, go to gdmf.ca.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Guelph Mercury Tribune reporter Joy Struthers wanted to learn what was new this year for the GDMF and talk to people who are passionate about diversity in Guelph.