Every year, Canadians flock to British Columbia for Surrey’s two-day Fusion Festival, an amazing celebration of culture, art, music and food. On Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, the event returns to Holland Park in downtown Surrey, where families can enjoy free access to dozens of one-of-a-kind cultural pavilions, four different concert stages, and a special play and learning area for the children.

When you and your family attend the 2014 Surrey Fusion Festival, you’ll be able to:

1. Experience Dozens of Countries At Once

World peace will be alive and well in Holland Park, where every shade of Surrey is represented in six cultural pavilions. Each will serve samples of authentic cuisine and showcase artwork and handmade crafts from dozens of different countries. Nations that will be represented for the first time include Nigeria, Morocco, Bangladesh, Israel, Argentina and Spain.

Experience more than thirty countries in these six groups of cultural pavilions:

Amazing Africa – Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Togo

Astonishing Asia – Bangladesh, Israel, China, India, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine and Russia

Beautiful Europe – Greece, Italy, Poland, Russia and Spain

Intriguing Islands – Barbados, Haiti, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, the Philippines and Taiwan

Marvelous America – Canada, Metis and Mexico

Spectacular South America – Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru

2. Take Your Tastebuds on a Culinary World Tour

Foodies and hungry kids alike will love the diverse menu at Fusion Fest. Every pavilion will include samples of authentic international cuisine, prepared with traditional recipes and ingredients. Some countries’ pavilions serve up particular favorites for locals, who return each year for traditional dishes such as Jamaican jerk chicken and Mexican churros.

Other ethnic treats you can sample at the 2014 Fusion Festival include South African sausages and patties, Pakistani naan bread and tandoori chicken, and Mexican tostadas and nachos. Volunteers from the Hua Xia Multiculture Society will prepare delicious Chinese teas and dishes, while Surrey’s very own European restaurant, Galina’s Cafe & Deli, will supply the Russian pavilion with pierogies, wraps, cabbage rolls, cookies, meat pies and poppy seed buns.

3. Treat the Kids to Their Own World

With “Movies Under the Stars” offering weekly entertainment throughout August, Holland Park is already a big perk for families in Surrey. Over this special weekend, part of it will be reserved especially for Fusion Fest’s youngest attendees. “Kids World” includes an arts and crafts tent, a huge sandbox, and a game area. Surrey Libraries will even bring back Storyville, a holiday favorite that brings popular tales to life.

4. Pick Your Favorites from an All-Star Lineup

While this year’s lineup won’t be officially announced until June 10, past performers at this four-stage event have included Jay Sean, Arrested Development, K-OS, Stephen Fearing, Grapes of Wrath, Said the Whale, TOIFA Bollywood Remix and The Zolas. The multi-stage set-up allows music fans to pick and choose the acts they see, and they can fuel up with the festival’s many flavors in between.

5. Pay Nothing At All, Thanks to the City of Surrey

Homeowners in Surrey’s Fleetwood and Guildford neighborhoods can enjoy year-round access to amazing events like the Surrey Fusion Festival, which is financed by the city and dozens of local sponsors. Other special events that the city of Surrey hosts free of charge include:

Surrey Canada Day – a couple weeks before the Fusion Festival, Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre will fill up for a free celebration of epic proportions

Surrey International Children’s Festival – now going strong for a decade, this annual arts festival includes enriching, inspiring performances and hands-on activities

Party for the Planet – an Earth Day celebration that will now be held at the brand new City Hall Plaza, with green goodies, kid-friendly performers on a library stage and a full live music lineup

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – Mayor Dianne Watts will join beloved holiday characters on Saturday, November 22 to turn on the lights that illuminate Surrey’s official Christmas tree

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