(L to R) Staff Members Craig, Kathy, and Sara with Karthi Rajamani and Mayor Ron Gervais
The 2026 Pembroke Multicultural Festival is only a few short weeks away, and lead organizer Karthi Rajamani is literally counting the minutes until opening day.
The 11th annual Pembroke Multicultural Festival will be held July 17 and 18, 2026, at Pembroke Waterfront Park on Fred Blackstein Boulevard. The free, family-friendly event will bring the community together to celebrate cultures from around the world through international cuisine, live entertainment and cultural performances. Our Youth Vendor Market will be happening on the Friday evening (4-8pm), and the Cultural Craft Vendors will be at the Festival on the Saturday afternoon, starting at 12pm.
Karthi endeavours each year to bring something a little different to the festival in order to keep it fresh and exciting.
The sights and sounds of countless cultures coming together for two days of celebration are what keep people coming back in droves every year. Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais has supported the festival since its earliest days, and he says it has been a real treat to watch it grow over the years.
Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah has also been heavily involved with the festival for several years, and for him, it’s an amazing way to see firsthand the diversity that makes up the fabric of life in the Ottawa Valley.
Rajamani says one of the highlights of the festival is the annual History Walk, which usually features one or two dignitaries. This year will be no different, she says, although she wants their names to remain a secret for the time being.
For more details or to check the performance lineup as it is announced, visit the official Pembroke Multicultural Festival website.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
