WATFORD CELEBRATION 2010

Musicians from Bhaktivedanta Manor at Watford Celebration

Dancers from the Watford Spanish Association at Watford Celebration

United Sang Soo Doo demonstrate martial arts at Watford Celebration

MONDAY 3^rd MAY 2010, 11am-6pm at Watford Colosseum.

This colourful event first came to Watford in 2005. The people of Watford felt the loss of the Rainbow Festival and the West Watford Show as ways of getting people together for a day of fun and friendship. Three people met with Richard Chewter when he was first appointed as Town Centre Chaplain, they were from the Watford Muslim Women’s Association, the Bridge of Peace and Watford Interfaith Association, and in the course of that evening decided to organise a community event which was free and included all the cultures, faiths and talents locally.

Since that first event Celebration has gone from strength to strength, as so many cultures, talents and faiths come together on the day to show what they can do, what their hobbies and professions are and to create dialogue as well as sample foods from many of the ethnic and cultural communities in the area.

There is a full day programme on the stage, from 11am – 4.30pm, after which Show the World takes over, as the finals in a youth music competition until 6pm. Among those performing during the day will be the One Voice Community Choir, and the choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, musicians from Zimbabwe, Bolivia, and the Krishna Consciousness musicians from Bhaktivedanta manor, plus martial arts from United Sang Soo Doo and Sikh swordsmen, with belly dancing and Spanish dancing, Latin American music and much more. As if this sparkling array were not enough, the Watford African Caribbean Association are putting on a fashion show of colourful traditional costumes.

Celebration is renowned for its food! The Watford Chinese Association organises the food, and over the lunch period, from 12.00-2.00pm food from China, Spain, Pakistan, England, Ireland, Italy and the Philippines will be available. Refreshments including sandwiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks are also available free of charge until 4pm.

In the Sacred Space a quiet environment is created where people can discuss a topic in the morning and another in the afternoon, this year it is the family from 11 am – 12.30pm, and the environment from 3pm-4.30pm. At 1.00pm for 40 minutes, spiritual poetry and stories will be read, and from 1.45 – 2.45, there will be seven demonstrations of an aspect of people’s faith, such as telling beads or singing.

Children have plenty to amuse them too, with face painting, three martial arts demonstrations, clay throwing and modelling (don’t wear your best clothes!), a model railway layout, and someone to teach you how to sing some Spanish songs. There will also be two art workshops using recycled goods.

You can even volunteer to help if you wish! Volunteers are always needed to help set up, clear up, get rid of rubbish, pour drinks, run messages and park cars.

Why not visit www.watfordcelebration.org for more information and full contact details, or just call 01923 774812 for more information.

Pictures at right: