Discussions

The only thing I can say is why don’t we have it in the spring or summer when it’s actually warm enough to stand outside in line ?

There would be ALOT more people who attend if it was in a better season. The dead of winter is not a good choice. I personally have not gone for the past 4 years because of this. I can't haul small kids when it's so cold. Not worth it. If it was during the summer, or every spring or fall I could manage it: as I am sure a lot of other people would too.

I really wanted to attend the festival this year but we  
cancelled due to the weather/cold in case we had to stand outside in line. Why not have this in any other season? Why the coldest time of year? I don't get it.

It is a nice reprieve in the worst part of winter when you need a night out. Pavilions are generally full and some are pretty much impossible to get into like the Ukrainian one. Did not get a chance to get out to them this year. It’s Manitoba winter is cold. Get used to it.

I believe one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, was to have something going on in the community at this time of year.

I thought you were asking for reviews of the Pavilions.  
The reason for this date is to break up the winter for people that like the challenge of waiting in line, meeting people and finally getting in to the warm place. Toughen up, Skinny Moon.  
 
Having said that, there are many amazing pavilions.

There’s always got to be a person with a smart remark for a simple question that I asked way to go Michelle . Toughen up Michelle said well for your information Michelle I work outside for a living in the winter I don’t need to toughen up . I am merely suggesting that by having it in warmer months that people wouldn’t mind standing in line and probably there would be more attendance .

Must have just arrived in Manitoba. Winter is like this. LOL Heard nothing but great things from people that went.

I don't think the event needs more attendance!  
 
Pavilions are generally all full with long waiting lines!

Yeah, toughen up, maybe for the young, but its pretty rough for us seniors to stand in line in this bitter cold. Personally, I would have loved to attend every one of them, if it was somewhat warmer and no bitter north wind; in warmer weather, a piece of cake.

Personally, I like that it’s held in the winter. The season can be very long and it is nice to have something to look forward to. All of the pavilions that I have attended are very full, so I’m not sure why you would need to have it in the summer to increase attendance when they are already full. It’s simple, If you don’t want to wait outside in line, don’t go

Well you can be as hardy as you want to be. I personally am all hardied out . I will be shovelling for the whole day Monday if we receive 15 more centimetres of snow along with the brutal winds that come with it so more cold for me , no thanks. I, like many others, would prefer a warm weather destination by mid winter here .

how did this turn so rude!  
Comments by people who should know better, were not likely raised to be so rude.  
 
 
People are allowed their opinions without being rude back to them.  
 
Generally a nice discussion is better, a little debate - but the rudeness!  
 
Edited by Brenda..., 2019-02-02 20:11:21

Only made it to England, Scotland, Metis, Jamacian and India Ravillions. All were well worth seeing. Entertainment was great. Costumes at the India Pavillion were incredible. Food at Jamacan and Indian Pavillions was great. Went Saturday afternoon and line ups were not too bad and many had locations where you could line up inside. Hats off to all the sponsors and volunteers. This is an event Brandon should be proud off. From what I saw there were great crowds and the event was well supported.

What would the cost to rent the Keystone Center be? I counted 12 rooms that could be rented (10 pavilions this year). It is all under one roof. Even if you had to pay an entrance fee of $5 or $10 to have it all in walking distance and all together....perfect. I think the rooms would be bigger which would allow more room for seating and performance space.

I have been saying that since day 1! All under one roof with ample parking and maybe all the entertainment taking turns on a main stage or something like that. But I am sure there would be many challenges this way too.  
 
We didn’t attend anything this year due to the cold.

There might be lots of large rooms in the Keystone Centre, but it’s the lack of proper kitchen facilities that is a problem.

A great big thank you to all the volunteers and performers who made the pavilions so enjoyable!

Love the India one the best. Next was Mexico. I hope they return next year!

All that was asked for was reviews on the pavilions , paw prints you need to settle down , your comments were not asked for, I’m sure we all know it’s cold, and going or not is of personal preference! Sounds like your not a very happy person and get great pleasure in attacking others, maybe you need to work on that for yourself! I say if you cannot say nothing nice , then keep your rude comments to yourself!

While the thread title requests reviews, the actual post from the OP was something else entirely.  
 
Things degenerated from there.  
 
I saw a bit of the Metis pavillion, and my daughter went with her Guide group Thursday evening. She said it was excellent!

The Jamaican, Mauritius, and Scottish pavilions are the only ones I made it to this year, and for the first time ever! The food is amazing!! Definitely want to go again next year. Some of the wait times were long, but well worth it, so don't really need more attendance. Just need more cultures represented, the bigger the better! Lol!  
 
So glad it's in the winter as well! As others have said, gives us something to do and look forward to during a long winter. Affordability is also nice, since budgeting is way easier if events are spread out.  
 
Seems like Eleveryone complains about everything today, unfortunately.  
 
I just appreciate we have this awesome event at all. Thanks!

....positive attitude .

They are always great, every year!  
 
As for break up the winter months... umm its 3 days hardly breaks anything up. But whatever. It's more then likely probably because more people would attend in the winter as most people camp, go to the lake and do other things in the warmer months.

In the winter. It is a nice break in the monotony of winter. And admission is free, much needed after holiday spending and before the crazy winter fair prices. Many of the pavilions I attended have indoor lineups. We have gone to folklorama in the summer. The crowds are comparable but it is not free and you buy tickets for specific showtimes.  
 
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who put in their valuable time and effort. Events this size take hours of planning and much hard work. Without them this event would not be possible for anyone. Complainers or not.

We came from the Virden area and have been going for several years to this event. We love the food and the culture. (not the cold)  
 
We brought friends who had never been and attended 5 of the pavilions on Saturday. Friday my husband and I attended 3 pavilions.  
Our adult children go as well. You that means millennial enjoyed and 50+ enjoyed.  
 
I too have had some of those complaints but we still make the trek in. If the line is going to be crazy outside then we move to another pavilion. If the food is not something i want to try (curry sorry i am picky and its still not my taste) I will not order food but i will still enjoy the venue. My husband and I typically order one plate and share so we can taste at several and not fill up on familiar fare.  
 
Every pavilion had great organizers and volunteers. The spirit among those entertaining or serving was infectious.  
 
For entertainment my top vote goes to India, with Philippines up there for smiling faces and the who volunteer base getting into the dancing. While it was hip hop style dancing I believe that still to be a very cultural activity from the people I have met from there. They love to dance.  
 
I also loved the fact that the young Filipino group also had a Scottish girl up for one dance with them in her kilt. That to me is part of it. We should all be embracing the culture. Next year i hope to see someone from another country doing the highland fling in full Indian or Honduran costume.  
 
Hats off to the organizers who are brave enough to take on the task and run a very well attended event. Looking forward to next year.

Husband and I enjoyed it very much! The food and entertainment!!

We went Friday and took the bus. We were the largest group that took the bus to the pavilions. As much as I would love to have it all in one area like the Keystone the lack of kitchens make sense for food prep. Mind you if India can serve hot food without a kitchen in the dome others could make it work I am sure. It would be nice to have the Pavilions work with bus schedules or have another bus that runs every half hour vs every hour. We loved the bus as it saved trying to find a parking space. India was great as it had space inside for line ups. I was disappointed in the alcohol wasn't from that country. I like trying drinks from other countries. We then went to the Jamaica. There was a line up for food/drink tickets then a separate line to enter the room. Was confusing and being new I hope next year goes better. Again in the room space was tight. Drink and food lines were in awkward spots. Love my Red Strip beer. Would have been nice to have some Appleton's Rum too. The Jerk chicken had all the chicken jerked off it and left with a pile of bones. Not like I remember when in Jamaica getting chicken on the beach. Will give it a go next year. When to the Ukraine after that. Food was good. Seating was a little tight between tables. Due to the bus schedule we saw the fiddlers. Would have like to see more dancing but that would have meant staying a whole other hour. Next was English. We didn’t stay long as I wasn’t into the beer or food as much. Knew the band so watched that for a bit. Finished off the night at the Scottish. Love the Scottish. It is roomie, large area for the performers. Didn’t find the seating too tight.  
As for someone saying suck it up with the cold weather. If I have to dress in boots and big winter coat to stand outside in frigid temperatures to go see some culture…..I am sorry I can do that with Google at home. It isn’t fun trying to pack up children and have them waiting in cold. Everyone knows that January and February are one of the coldest times of the year.