The 55th annual Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Festival for World Relief takes place Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14 at Tradex in Abbotsford.
The event raises money to help people facing food scarcity in B.C. and countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Ethiopia.
The festival includes plenty of food (such as vereniki and sausage, Mennonite poutine, borscht and more ), local artisans and exhibits, entertainment and a children’s area.
New to the stage, Mennonite comedian Leland Klassen, recognized for his appearances on CBC and Netflix, will host Mennonite-themed shows: Mennonite Family Feud, the Great Borscht Cook-Off, and the Mennonite Bake-Off.
Live music on Friday includes Tyla Jones at 5 p.m., Ben Cottrill at 7 p.m. and Thistle Dew at 8 p.m.
Saturday starts with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Booths with local artisans and other exhibitors are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a plant shop, fresh produce, a quilt shop, thrift store items, fair-trade rugs and more.
Live entertainment on Saturday includes the MEI Marching Band, the Skipping Sensations, John Donnelly, Ben Cottrill and Tyla Jones.
The kids' zone is open throughout the event and includes a bouncy castle village, a climbing wall, a Lego exhibit, live entertainment and mini golf.
With $5 admission, the zone will feature stage shows by award-winning children’s performer Norden the Magician at 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. A special screening of Ratatouille will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Doors for the festival are open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.
Visit mccfestival.com for more information or to purchase food tickets.
