Get your black and gold attire out and ready for this weekend.
Saturday, May 4th, marks the 21st annual edition of the Valley’s Kashub Day Festival. One of the event’s organizers, David Shulist (aka Johnny Kashub), says that thousands will flock out to show their appreciation for their roots (or just to have fun).
“Every community has their designation and we just happen to be Canada’s first Kashubian community so it’s a great time to celebrate our rich heritage,” he says. Shulist, along with Ray “The Kashub Man” Chapeskie, will be the masters of ceremonies for the shindig that will start at 11:00 AM.
Shulist says there will be live music all day. “There are so many musicians in the area so a new act will be getting on stage every 15 to 20 minutes,” he says and adds that 95% of them all have Kashubian roots. In total, there will be over 15 musical acts which will kick off the music for the day at around 11:20, and will go till 7:00 PM.
There are usually 1500 to 2000 people who show up during the day (depending on weather) Shulist says and mentions that if you don’t show up early, you might have to park far away from the party’s location.
As a Councillor of Madawaska Valley Township and a pioneer for community events in the region, Shulist says, with a big smile, that the event is “absolutely free”. He encourages everyone to wear black and gold (or yellow) which are the colours of the Kashubian emblem and hopes to see everyone at Wilno Heritage Park on Saturday.