Agrifair will get a multicultural flavour this year, with the addition of Abbyfest at Agrifair.
Musleh Hakki is the founder of Abbotsford’s annual Abbyfest event which celebrates the diversity in the community, and he is bringing the same approach to Agrifair on Saturday.
It will begin with a Parade of Nations at 10 a.m. This typically brings 60 different flags on parade at Abbyfest, and Hakki said it emphasizes that “we have so many different nationalities among us.”
At 11 a.m. there will be main stage entertainment including the First Nations Jiggers, belly dancers, Scottish Highland dancers and bhangra dancers.
At 1 p.m. there will be a demonstration of the kabaddi, the South Asian sport that combines elements of wrestling and rugby. First there will be a demonstration game, followed by audience participation.
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a mock Indo-Canadian wedding, with singing, dancing and rituals.
“We are excited,” said Hakki. “It gives a new dimension to Agrifair.”
It will also be a preview of Abbyfest, which this year takes place on Sept. 15 at the Ag-Rec Building at Exhibition Park.