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The P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada’s (PEIANC) festival co-ordinators are gearing up for the annual DiverseCity Multicultural Festivals to be held in Charlottetown, Montague and Summerside.

Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate Canada’s 150th with DiverseCity’s joyful festivals.

Admission is free. PEIANC executive director Craig Mackie notes that DiverseCity is a natural fit to contribute to the Canada 150 celebrations.

“As Canadians pause to collectively recognize and embrace the cultures that call Canada and Prince Edward Island home, the enthusiasm for celebrating culture across the Island has been growing.”

In the lead-up to Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June 25, the 11th year for DiverseCity Charlottetown will take place on Queen Street between Grafton and Sydney streets.

“We are proud to host this annual event in historic downtown Charlottetown that — Visit PEIANC’s website www. peianc.com/dc for more details and to sign up to volunteer. — The PEINewcomers YouTube channel has videos from previous year’s events. Follow DiverseCity on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram. celebrates our multiculturalism,” says Mayor Clifford Lee.

“This festival began in Charlottetown, and it is great to see it expand to other communities, encouraging us all to celebrate our cultural diversity.”

In its fourth year, DiverseCity Montague is July 16, as part of Montague Summer Days.

“We are excited to be partnering with PEIANC to bring DiverseCity Festival back again this summer, especially as the Town of Montague celebrates its centenary,” says Mayor Richard Collins.

Summerside Mayor Bill Martin also endorses the festival in his city.

DiverseCity Summerside will become part of the Chautauqua Festival on July 30, taking place in front of the Harbourfront Theatre.

“DiverseCity has grown to become a showpiece of Summerside’s cultural celebrations that take place throughout the summer.”

Festival organizer Mark CarrRollitt credits its success to the enthusiastic cultural groups who participate and the huge response by residents and tourists.

This year’s festival, which has RBC as the presenting sponsor, has new performers and international food vendors, as well as popular returning features like martial arts demonstrations, henna, face-painting, the Chinese lion dance and the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society.

The P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada is proud to see the festival welcomed so warmly into Island communities, says Mackie.

Last year an estimated crowd of 18,000 attended DiverseCity in Charlottetown.