Icelandic Festival posts banner year post-pandemic – Winnipeg | 24CA News
The city of Gimli, Man. is tying the bow on one other profitable Icelandic Festival, with officers saying the four-day occasion has made a full restoration from pandemic restrictions.
Capped off with a parade seen by over 10,000 guests from close to and much, Islendingadagurinn – because it’s additionally identified – celebrated its 134th iteration this yr.
Jeff Valgardson, a parade coordinator and 30-year pageant volunteer, mentioned the occasion has grow to be synonymous with the township and its historical past.
“It’s the volunteers and the people that commit to it. It shows the Icelandic heritage is still strong,” he mentioned.
According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba has the biggest Icelandic inhabitants outdoors of Iceland.
The pageant held its first occasion in 1890 in Winnipeg the place it was performed till 1931 earlier than being moved to Gimli.
Today, Icelandic fest boasts an artwork present, sporting tournaments, a mock viking battle, Icelandic cultural demonstrations and reside music which drew in roughly 25,000 attendees.
Gimli mayor Kevin Chudd mentioned the occasion is each a homecoming for these of Icelandic heritage and a chance to place range on show.
“The highlight for me was going down Gimli Beach and seeing people of all cultures, all backgrounds coming together here which is exemplifying our Manitoba diversity,” he mentioned.
It’s additionally an opportunity to point out off the city, which is populated by little greater than 2,200 folks however balloons between May and October.
Chudd mentioned he’s working with Gimli council to deliver extra vacationers to city and create repeat guests, together with visitors enhancements, revitalizing the waterfront, and selling native companies.
The mayor is assured if all goes to plan, the city can double its variety of guests within the subsequent 4 years.
“We invite anyone and everyone … Gimli is the place to be.”
For Valgardson, the return of the annual pageant is a illustration of the city he’s lived in since start.
“I think, you know, nowadays people, if they’ve got Icelandic in them, they come and get involved,” he mentioned.
“134 years, and we’re still going strong … we got it all.”
– with recordsdata from Katherine Dornian
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
