The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the cobblestones of downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake as I sit with Ruth Nkemdirim at a café. The artistic director of African Women Acting (AWA) speaks with infectious enthusiasm about the upcoming Pan-African Festival Niagara 2025, her hands making graceful shapes in the air as she describes her vision.
“We’re creating a space where everyone can come together to experience the richness of African cultures without barriers,” Nkemdirim tells me, pausing to sip her tea. “When you make art accessible—truly free and open—something magical happens in a community.”
Set for August 16-17, 2025, the festival will transform Queen Street and Simcoe Park into a vibrant celebration of Pan-African arts, music, and culture. What makes this event particularly noteworthy is that all programming will be entirely free to the public, a deliberate choice by organizers to ensure cultural accessibility.
This marks the second year for the festival, which drew over 3,000 attendees in its inaugural run. The 2025 event promises to be more ambitious, featuring performances from artists representing traditions from across the African continent and diaspora, alongside culinary experiences, artisan markets, and educational workshops.
When I visited the festival site last week, preparations were already underway. Festival coordinator Michael Olowokandi walked me through Simcoe Park, pointing out where the main stage would stand, where food vendors would set up, and where families could participate in hands-on activities.
“Last year taught us that there’s a real hunger for these cultural connections,” Olowokandi explained. “People came from Toronto, Buffalo, even Montreal. This year, we’re expecting visitors from even further afield.”
The festival emerges at a time when arts funding across Canada faces significant challenges. According to a 2024 report from the Canadian Arts Coalition, public arts funding has decreased by 12% when adjusted for inflation over the past five years, making the free admission policy all the more remarkable.
AWA has managed this feat through a combination of community partnerships, municipal support, and corporate sponsorships. The Niagara Region Tourism Development Fund contributed a $45,000 grant, while local businesses have provided in-kind donations and volunteer support.
“Economics should never determine who gets to experience art,” says Dr. Folasade Hunsu, a Nigerian-Canadian literature professor at Brock University and festival advisor. “Too often, cultural events become exclusive by default because of ticket prices. AWA is challenging that model.”
The festival’s programming reflects deep thought about representation. Rather than presenting African culture as monolithic, organizers have curated performances and exhibitions that showcase the continent’s diversity—from North African gnawa music to Southern African gumboot dancing, West African storytelling traditions to East African textile arts.
For the children’s area, the festival has partnered with local educators to develop age-appropriate activities that introduce young people to African cultural traditions through play and creative expression. Last year, the children’s drum circle became an unexpected highlight, growing from a scheduled 30-minute activity into a spontaneous two-hour jam session that drew in passersby.
“I still remember watching my daughter learn Adinkra symbols last year,” shares Niagara resident Theresa Chen, whose family attended the 2024 festival. “She was so proud to show me the cloth she had printed. Those moments of cultural exchange are precious, especially in smaller communities where diversity isn’t always visible.”
The festival also serves a deeper purpose in addressing misconceptions about Africa. In a 2023 survey by the Mosaic Institute, 67% of Canadian respondents acknowledged having limited knowledge about African countries and cultures beyond what they see in mainstream media, which often focuses on challenges rather than creativity and innovation.
“We’re not just entertaining—we’re educating,” Nkemdirim emphasizes. “Every performance, every workshop is an opportunity to expand understanding and challenge stereotypes.“
The economic impact of the festival extends beyond cultural benefits. According to Tourism Niagara’s analysis of the 2024 event, visitors spent approximately $215,000 at local businesses during the festival weekend, with restaurants and accommodations seeing the most significant boost.
As twilight settles over our conversation, Nkemdirim shares a final thought about why making the festival free matters so deeply to her organization.
“I grew up in a household where my mother would save for months to take us to cultural events,” she says. “I remember the calculation in her eyes—weighing whether the experience justified the sacrifice. No parent should have to make that choice when it comes to exposing their children to art and culture.”
The Pan-African Festival Niagara runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2025. More information about performers, vendors, and volunteer opportunities will be announced in the coming months on the African Women Acting website.
For now, festival organizers encourage people to mark their calendars for what promises to be a weekend of cultural connection that costs nothing but offers rewards that linger long after the music fades.
