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Top 50 Festivals
Carabram is a multicultural festival which provides an opportunity to learn more about the Brampton community through the international language of food, music, song and dance. It has been celebrated in Brampton during the second weekend of July every year since 1982 and attracts visitors from as far away as Scotland, England, Germany and the United States. A total of about 40,000 visitors attended last year. Surveys show that about 20% of visitors live outside of Brampton, so Carabram is a major tourist attraction for the city.
The goal of this festival is to promote understanding of the many cultures which together compose Ontario's population. Visitors have an opportunity to sample food, drink, dancing and cultures, which they might otherwise have to travel thousands of miles to enjoy! A special shuttle bus service travels directly from pavilion to pavilion, so that visitors can easily travel around the world of Carabram.
Carabram began with just 4 pavilions, and has become so popular that there were 14 pavilions located in city recreational facilities and school auditoriums last year. The countries and regions represented at various times at Carabram include Africa, Arabian, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean, China, Croatia, Chile, England, Germany, Greece, Hawaiian, Hispanic, Holland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Ukraine.
Just like "real" travelers, visitors to the pavilions must present passports at the entrance to each pavilion. Carabram provides excellent value for its visitors. The passports cost just $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. Families are encouraged to attend as all those under the age of 12 are admitted free! With their passports, visitors can enjoy the amazing cultural displays and fabulous entertainment that is available at every pavilion.
The entertainment across Carabram is provided by a mix of polished professional and enthusiastic amateur entertainers. This festival provides a great opportunity for dancers from many different cultures in the Brampton community to showcase their skills in front of a large audience. Another highlight of Carabram is the selection of authentic foods available for purchase at each pavilion.
Carabram contributes to building "a community of communities" in Brampton by celebrating our diversity. Our festival also helps to build harmony as people from various cultures learn more about one another.
Carabram is run by a non-profit organization of about 1,500 experienced volunteers who take great pride in organizing this outstanding festival. To maintain the highest quality of pavilions, a judging committee awards prizes these categories: Entertainment, Culture, Atmosphere & Decor, Food and Best Overall. We also recognize the pavilion that sells the most passports and the Most Improved Pavilion.
The pavilions proudly promote and display the prizes which they have won in previous years in both the Carabram passport, and throughout their pavilion. Most importantly, all visitors to Carabram win by experiencing so many cultures in just one weekend! |
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