Mission Statement:
“A rising tide lifts all boats”
The Canadiana Fest brings the music, food, art, culture, and kindness of Canada and her peoples, shared in a festival setting to celebrate, educate, and help others heal through seeing the world in a new way, with proceeds going to fight hunger, homelessness, and hurt while supporting philanthropic organizations that do good in the community.
We share primarily (but not exclusively) the founding cultures of our Indigenous, French and British Commonwealth heritage.
Bozhoo! Bonjour! Hello!
Since its inception, Canadiana Fest has strived to offer an authentically Canadian celebration and 2024 was no exception. In just our second year, we had 1750 folks who came out to enjoy our little “kitchen party” in downtown Kalamazoo.
We had a fantastic time with an outstanding Beer Garden, Food Court, and Merchant Village. We also had a ton of family-friendly activities with live sports including hockey, curling, lacrosse, and basketball! Yes, a Canadian invented basketball! We also had a banner year supporting two local food banks and other organizations that help our community. Here are a few highlights:
❖ We became the LARGEST CANADIAN FESTIVAL OUTSIDE OF CANADA!
❖ 1750 attendees, more than double 2023 attendance!
❖ Hosted “Families Have Fun” in conjunction with YMCA and Big Brothers/Big Sisters at our Canadian Sports Center offering live skills workshops with local teams, coaches and WMU athletes!
❖ Contributed 69K+ meals to local food banks (totaling 129K in just two years) to South Michigan Food Bank and Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes!
❖ We also supported Tanner’s Spark on the World, VFW Hall 1527, Jasper AB Fire Relief Fund, and North Carolina Hurricane Relief!
❖ Hosted Rick and Ava Green from The Red Green Show!
❖ Featured Canada’s oldest winery – Pelee Island Winery!
❖ Partnered with Windsor Tourism Windsor, Essex, and Pelee Island!
❖ Showcased award-winning Canadian musical artists, including two-time Juno winner, Grammy nominee, and Maple Blues Indigenous Artist of the Year, Crystal Shawanda; acclaimed multi-lingual Acadian musicians Skye Consort; and Juno-nominated jazz musician Andrew Rathbun!
❖ Welcomed guests from 6 states and 2 provinces, representing 83 zip codes, with 33% traveling from over 50 miles away and 10% from outside the state of Michigan!
❖ Hosted the second annual World Championship Poutine Competition (tongue firmly in cheek!) with 6 competitors!
❖ Held a Canadian Butter Tart Competition featuring both professional and amateur entries!
❖ Organized the second annual Canadian Cosplay Contest, a fun way to engage your inner Canadian, with entertaining submissions from across the Midwest and Canada!
❖ Ensured accessibility for all! We provided reduced or free admission, mobility accommodations, sight assistance with voice recordings or the site map and schedule of events via QR code, hearing assistance with ASL interpreted stage events, as well as addressing recycling and environmental concerns!
❖ All coordinated by a grassroots team of Canadians and Americans, a motivated, dedicated staff at the Heart of the Midwest, midpoint Detroit to Chicago.
Our 2024 Core team of volunteers:
Channon Mondoux – Eclectic Events, Event Organizer
Amy Crabtree Campbell – Social Media and Communications, Volunteer Coordinator
Leslie Dutcher – Sports, Community Involvement and Sponsorships
Macal DeNeve-Wadsworth – Business Advisor, Culture and Information Booth
Jax Anger-Pipe – DEI Lead
Olivia Kurajian- Children and Culture Center
Janine Cotugno Guimont – Canadian Genealogy Booth
Margo DeBoe – Hospitality
Kristy Potts- VIP Hospitality
Dana Feckovics – ASL Interpreter Team Lead
Janet Nykaza – Grantwriting
Volunteer Advisors:
Jodi Michaels – Global Ties Kalamazoo
Dan Mondoux – Event Ticket Sales, Gate and Admissions
Jason Hall – Kalamazoo Curling Club
Chef Eric Gillish – Executive Chef, Millennium Restaurant Group, and President of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek chapter of the American Culinary Federation
Chef Michael Murray – owner at West Michigan Pasta & Provisions and Treasurer of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek chapter of the American Culinary Federation
Jeanne Hess – Vice Mayor, City of Kalamazoo
Eric Sebastian – Sound Engineer, Sebastian Sound
Jennifer Hudson Prenkert – Sounds of the Zoo
Dr. Jessica Voigts Ph.D – Wandering Educators Marketing and Graphic Design
Dr. Dee Sherwood, Director of the Native American Advisory Council, WMU
Traci Furman, Public Media Network Kalamazoo
We’re poised to grow in scope and attendance in 2025 and ask you to put Saturday, September 20 on your calendar to come join us! Watch our socials and website for announcements, artists, and info on all of the fun we’re planning for you!