The second annual Canada Berries Chinese New Year Festival, featuring a farmers’ market and carnival is set to take place Feb.12-14.
Tommy Yuan, director of Canada Berries Enterprises Ltd., a local winery, said a three-day celebration focused on local farmers and their products was a no-brainer considering the new year is a time when Chinese people know spring and the first harvests of the season will arrive soon.
“People go to temples on Chinese New Year, but they also gather at markets and interact with farmers,” said Yuan.
“This will be a very unique celebration,” he said.
Canada Berries will host a number of events, from Friday to Sunday, on site at the corner of Sidaway and Blundell roads. Yuan expects thousands to attend the free events.
Food vendors will set up beginning at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m, each day. There will be traditional Chinese New Year foods, such as BBQ meat, pastries, special holiday dim sum, sticky rice and beans.
“There’s a lot of stuff you won’t typically find on the street or in restaurants the rest of the year,” said Yuan.
Other choices will be available as well, including a donair vendor.
And Yuan has encouraged local farmers to attend.
Entertainment will be a big draw, as Yuan has secured kung fu martial arts demonstrations, drum shows, an opera show and children’s activities, such as paper cutting and face painting.
The weekend concludes on the Sunday evening, with a small fireworks show.
Canada Berries is located at 12791 Blundell Road.
