Croatiaon Carabram

Carabram returns for the 21st year
Travel around the world right here in Brampton at multicultural festival
The 21st annual Carabram festival returns to Brampton July 11 to 13. 

This year's event features the sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean, Italy, Croatia, Philippines, Germany, Poland, Hawaii, Portugal, India, Ukraine and Ireland. 

Pavilions and events will run from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. 

Passports can be purchased in advance at Sobeys, Royal Bank and Canadian Tire outlets in Brampton for $8, until July 10. They will also be available for $10 at any of the pavilions during the festival. Passports are good for all three days, and include full access to all events and shows. Children under the age of 12 are free, when accompanied by an adult. 

Brampton Transit will once again be providing free transportation between pavilions. 

Pavilions include: 

· Caribbean (Cardinal Leger Secondary School, 75 Mary St.). Hosted by The United Achievers Club and Sisserou Cultural Club, the theme of this pavilion is A Taste of Paradise, featuring a blend of calypso, steel band, soca, reggae and zouck music, and serving roti, curry goat, jerk chicken and beef patties, as well as tropical beverages. Show times are Friday at 7, 9 and 11:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30, 5, 7, 9:30 p.m. and midnight and Sunday at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. 

· Croatia (Pauline Vanier Catholic Elementary School, 56 Oaklea Blvd.). Hosted by the Croatian Parish folklore group Marjan, this pavilion features authentic Croatian tamburitza music, folklore dances and songs. There will also be a variety of Croatian specialties including barbecue, cevapcici, shish kebab (raznjici), cabbage rolls (sarma), roast lamb (janjetina), Croatian beer, wine, brandy, coffee, strudels, cakes and pastries. There will also be displays about the country's 1,300-year-old culture and history, featuring artwork, crafts,colorful costumes and books. Show times are Friday at 7, 9 and 10 p.m. and midnight, Saturday at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 p.m. and midnight and Sunday at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. 

· Germany (Hansa House, Hwy. 10, south of Derry Road). Hosted by the German Canadian Club Hansa, the theme of this pavilion is Our Homeland, featuring entertainment by The Harmonie Brass. There will also be traditional German food, drinks and folk dancing. Showtimes are Friday at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m., Saturday at 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m. and Sunday at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. · Hawaii Polynesia (Victoria Park Arena, 20 Victoria Cres.). Hosted by the Hawaiian Association of Peel-Halton, this pavilion features hula dancers performing ancient and traditional dances from Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand. Sample exotic foods and the world-famous Hawaiian drink the Mai Tai. The pavilion also offers a marketplace for souvenirs, including CDs, tapes, Hawaiian shirts, dresses and jewelry. Show times are Friday at 7, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 p.m., Saturday at 3, 4:45, 6:30, 8:15, 10 and 11:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2, 3:30, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Entertainment is provided by The Hawaiian Pacific Magic Dance Company. 

· India (Brampton Centennial Secondary School, 251 McMurchy Ave. S.). Hosted by The Indian Heritage Society, this pavilion features art exhibits, cultural shows, classical dances, colourful costumes and folk dances from various provinces. Sample the award-winning traditional food and drinks which have made them festival champions for more than seven years. Shows run every hour on the hour from 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 

· Ireland (Bramalea Lions Hall, 45 Avondale Blvd.) Hosted by the Rover Club, this pavilion features traditional food including an all-day Irish breakfast, ham and cabbage, potatoes, Irish stew and Irish soda bread, with Guinness and Harp on draught. All weekend long, enjoy Madd Paddy's traditional Irish ballads and Celtic rock, as well as performances by Hugo Straney, Gary Owen Ceile Band, Woodgate and McGinley schools of Irish dancing. 

· Italian (Italian Cultural Centre, 8 Automatic Rd.). Hosted by The Italian Cultural Centre of Brampton, this year's theme is the history of the Etruscan Valley and its people. Enjoy traditional Italian food, pastries and ice cream. 

· Philippines (Century Gardens, 340 Vodden St. E.). Hosted by the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe and the Club Filipino-Brampton, this pavilion was voted best entertainment in 1999, 2001 and 2002. Join them for folk dancing, traditional music, singing, arts and crafts and Filipino food, drinks and desserts. Showtimes are Friday, 7:30, 9 and 10 p.m., with a variety show at 11:30 p.m. On Saturday, shows run 3, 4, 7:30, 9 and 10 p.m., with a fashion show at 6 and a variety show at 11:30 p.m. On Sunday, showtimes are 2, 4:30 and 6 p.m., with a mass at 11 a.m. and a fashion show at 3:30 p.m. 

· Portugal (Brampton Curling Club, 46 McMurchy Ave. S.). Hosted by the Portuguese Heritage Committee, visitors can admire the dances, costumes and artifacts and sample wines and traditional dishes. There will also be a demonstration by a youth soccer team, and a chance to meet a Portuguese professional soccer player from Benfica. 

· Ukraine (Chris Gibson Recreation Centre,125 McLaughlin Rd. N.). Hosted by St. Elias Brampton Ukrainian Heritage Society, this pavilion was voted best overall in 2001 and 2002. Experience the rituals of a Ukranian wedding and a traditional village, as well as the cuisine, crafts, music and dance, provided by Brampton's own Ukrainian dance troupes Vatra, Iskra and Vohynk. Show times are Friday, 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.. and Sunday at 1:30, 3:30 and 5 p.m. 

Carabram annually attracts upwards of 60,000 visitors from around the world, and is coordinated by more than 3,000 volunteers. For information, visit www.carabram.org.

http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/br/news/story/1180475p-1407190c.html