Dancing, games, potluck food and more are set to fill the air at Couchiching Beach Park this weekend, as the Orillia and Area Black Community Association gets ready for its second annual Community Fest event.
Running from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, the hope is to bring the community together to make memories and celebrate Orillia, organizers say, with Orillians from the Black community and the broader community alike encouraged to come out.
Face painting, henna tattoos, a bouncy castle, and music by DJ Maxx are also planned for Saturday’s celebration.
“It's something to provide that opportunity for people to come together and celebrate with the Black community … just for people to build that bond, create memories, and make it known that we have that community and support,” said Alasoba Kelsy-Braide, founder of the Orillia and Area Black Community Association.
After moving to Orillia nearly seven years ago, Kelsy-Braid decided to form the Black Community Association in 2021 to help foster a sense of community in the city.
Although the association began as a Facebook page three years ago, it has grown into a group capable of hosting fun community events – like last year’s inaugural Community Fest.
Kelsy-Braide said she felt the event was on the “right path” when a variety of community members joined in to have fun last year, and she hopes to hold annual Community Fests moving forward to continue bringing people together.
From trying new food to connecting with new community members, last year’s event was a success, she said.
“You're seeing everybody coming to have fun, and then trying different meals that some people haven't tried before,” she said. “It's (trying to) foster a sense of unity and belonging in the city.”
When they saw people having fun at the event, others were encouraged to join in, as well.
“The most amazing thing is that kids that were playing on the playground came over to even be part of it,” Kelsy-Braide said.
