4000 People Celebrate Canada Day on the 9th CPAC Summer Festival

The 9th CPAC Summer Festival, co-organized by the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) and the Council of New Comers Organizations, was another success this year. Held at Earl Bales Park today, thousands of people came together in this celebration of Chinese culture and Canadian multiculturalism. For the event was partly funded by Canadian Heritage, it was also one of the series of events for celebrating Canada Day.

The theme for this year’s Summer Festival was “Civilization, Development and Peace”. This event demonstrated the best of over five-thousand years of Chinese culture, while combining the unique elements of Chinese integration into the Canadian society. The festival also showcased Chinese elites in the manufacturing, retailing, financial services and demonstrated the peaceful coexistence of the Chinese and other ethnic groups in Canada. It was the festival both in the Chinese community and other ethnic communities celebrating harmony and happiness in Canada. “No matter where you are from, we are here today enjoying the summer fun as well as celebrating Canada Day,” said Dr. Hugh Zhao, President of CPAC at the opening ceremony.

“The Summer Festival provided all types of entertainments for people of all ages. There are five separate areas: Cultural Performance Area, Associations Area, Food Snacks and Commercial Services Area, Sports and Entertainment Area, and Recreation and Entertainment Area.” Mr. Geng Tan, President of the Council of New Comers Organizations, commenced the festival at the opening ceremony.

Highlights of the day included: live performances, fun games for families and ethnic food tasting. Some examples of the programs were: folk dances, acrobatics, singing and martial arts. They were performed by various organizations, ethnic groups and individuals. Different parties of the Council of New Comers Organization contributed their own unique shows. The Associations Area included booths providing consulting and informational services from various organizations, such as Ontario Tourism, Bank of China, Consulate-General of People’s Republic of China in Toronto, Sun Life Financial, Respon International Financial Group, and Heritage Education Funds. The Food Snacks and Commercial Services Area offered delicacies from different parts of China and around the world for participants to enjoy. The Sports and Entertainment Area included games for adults and kids, such as poker, ping pong, drawing contest, talent show, hoola-hoop, etc.

The tug of war has always been the most popular game of the Summer Festival. This year, Hunan Association won the both first place in the men’s team and the women’s team competition.

In addition to the festive activities, CPAC organized a stem cell drive at the event with the help of Other Half, in honour of Mr. Yiyong Wang, the recipient of CPAC Professional Achievement Award – Special Contribution Award in 2009, who unfortunately lost his three years battle with leukemia on June 10, 2011. A large crowd gathered in the front of the booth showing their support for leukemia patients and going through cheek swabs.

The Summer Festival promotes the Chinese culture by showcasing the unique local styles of all the various ethnic groups of China. During the event, participants witnessed the beautiful photography exhibition by the renowned photographer Mr. Li Yingjie. A photography competition themed “Summer Festival” was also held on the site.

The blind date event with more than 200 participants was another highlight of this year’s event. Organized jointly by the Summer Festival Organization Committee and qtlove.com, it attracted many who were single and ready to mingle. This dating event was divided into three categories: second generation immigrants and visa students (35 years old and under), single immigrants (35 years old and older), and other ethnicities (non-Chinese).

Mr. Li Fang, the Consul General of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto, and Consul Hongnuo Zhong, attended the event today. They highly praised the great work of the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) and the Council of New Comers Organizations, and their great contributions to the community.