After a year away, Motif returns to Happy Valley Park this weekend. From Friday to Sunday there will be lots of great food and entertainment to take in. In honour of Moose Jaw’s long-running multicultural festival, this week we are highlighting five facts about Motif, with a focus on everything you need to know about this year’s event.
Motif’s Origins
Motif can trace its origins to the city’s Canada Day festivities. What is now known as the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council began as a sub-committee of the Canada Week committee in 1974. The goal was to showcase the city’s different cultures. As a result, the Folkloric Festival was created and first held at the Civic Centre on June 22, 1974. Eleven different cultural groups participated. The event was a huge success.
Motif itself was first held in 1976.
Happy Valley
Motif has been held in Happy Valley Park for over 30 years. In the 1980s city council decided that Happy Valley Park would be a great location for Motif. The park had been evacuated in 1974 due to the flood but the city set about cleaning the area and planting trees and grass. The grand opening took place in 1988.
Motif 2019 – Need to Know
The fun will start on Friday, July 12 at 3 p.m. in Happy Valley Park. Entertainment will commence at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Everything wraps up by 10 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The closing ceremonies will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission for just one day is $8. A three-day pass costs $12. Kids 12 and under get in for free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
There will be lots of parking in Happy Valley. A one-day parking pass costs $2, while a three-day pass is just $5.
There will be a kid’s area on site with activities, so there will be lots to see and do.
As with any outdoor event, be sure to come prepared. That means bringing sunscreen and bug spray. Although there is lots of seating on site, you might prefer to bring your own lawn chair.
Participating Groups
A total of 15 different cultural groups will be at Motif this weekend, which organizers say is up slightly from recent years. The list includes: the Caribbean Association, the Filipino community of Moose Jaw, International Women’s Society, Latin American Society, Moose Jaw Jamaican Association, Moose Jaw Scottish Association, Mother of Africa, Russian Association, Taste of Lebanon, the Original Moose Jaw Chinese Association, Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association, as well as representatives from countries like Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, and Yugoslavia. Some of these groups are new to Motif.
You can be sure there will be lots of great food and vibrant performances on the stage!
Headliners
The two headliners for this year’s festival are Andino Suns and Davy Sage.
Andino Suns will perform at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. The group plays Latin folk music inspired by their native Chile. They are now based out of Regina. The group has released three full-length albums.
Sage will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. He is originally from Nigeria but is also now based out of Regina. Sage released his debut single, “High” in 2015. Since then he has released two EPs.
Expect lively performances and feel-good music.
A sample from each artist can be found below.
Be sure to stop by Motif this weekend!
