Tour the world without hopping a plane

Folklorama celebrates 40th anniversary with passports

Folklorama features 41 pavilions running over two weeks. Photo courtesy of Folklorama.

With Winnipeggers’ diverse ethnic backgrounds, it’s no surprise that Folklorama is a local favourite, but many argue the two-week festival offers stereotypical “Canadianized” versions of culture rather than authentic portrayals.

Ron Gauthier, Folklorama’s executive director, said feedback to date has found otherwise.

An internal survey conducted by Pele Research in 2007 found 85 per cent of those who attended the festivities said the pavilions met their expectations and 83 per cent were satisfied with the entertainment, he said.

Perhaps these high satisfaction rates explain why this year marks Folklorama’s 40th anniversary.

People have enjoyed the festival since 1970, when the first Folklorama was created to celebrate Manitoba’s centennial with 21 pavilions. Today, there are 41 pavilions running from Aug. 2 to 15.

To commemorate their 40th anniversary Folklorama is bringing back travel passports, which have not been seen since their 25th anniversary.

Passports can be personalized with people’s photos and any other information they are willing to share, just like a real passport.

Passports allow patrons unlimited access to pavilions and to bypass lineups. Folklorama will be pre-selling these until the week before the festival with limited quantities available. Passports cost $150 each, but if you consider that the $5 entry fee to all the pavilions would cost $205, the savings ad up.

These are available online at www.folklorama.ca or by calling 982-6210.

Folklorama is also expanding its VIP world tour this year from two to three buses per day. The VIP tour allows people to travel to three pavilions and enjoy reserved seating and a progressive meal, with an appetizer at the first location, dinner at the second and dessert at the third, plus a drink at all three. World tours include a central location pick-up and travel in a luxury air conditioned motor coach. They cost $64.95 per person.

Back for the second year is the popular Folklorama beer, specially brewed by Fort Garry Brewing Company. The beer can be picked up at the pavilions or at any Winnipeg Liquor Mart locations while quantities last.

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