Summerside is breaking new ground next summer as it prepares to host the DiverseCity multicultural festival for the first time in the event’s history. The announcement comes after years of the celebration rotating primarily between Charlottetown and smaller communities across the Island.
“It’s long overdue,” says Melanie Bailey, executive director of the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEIANC), which organizes the annual festival. “Summerside has seen tremendous growth in its immigrant population over the past five years, and the community has been asking when they’d get to showcase their cultural mosaic.”
According to Statistics Canada data, Summerside’s immigrant population has grown by nearly 18 percent since 2019, reflecting broader demographic shifts across Prince Edward Island. What was once a relatively homogeneous community now boasts residents from over 30 countries, with significant populations from the Philippines, India, and Syria.
The festival, scheduled for July 12, 2025, will transform Summerside’s historic downtown into a celebration of global cultures featuring food vendors, musical performances, dance demonstrations, and cultural exhibitions. City officials expect between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees, which would make it one of the largest single-day events in the city’s history.
Mayor Basil Stewart sees the festival as more than just an economic opportunity. “This isn’t just about tourism dollars, though we certainly welcome those. This is about recognizing that Summerside is changing and evolving. Our newcomer communities aren’t just living here – they’re becoming integral to who we are as a city.”
The timing coincides with significant investments in Summerside’s cultural infrastructure. The city recently completed renovations to its downtown cultural center, creating flexible spaces designed specifically for community events. Provincial funding of $175,000 announced last month will support expanded programming for multicultural initiatives throughout the year.
Local business owner Mei Lin Wong, who immigrated from Malaysia in 2018 and now operates a successful bakery on Water Street, has advocated for bringing the festival to Summerside for years. “When I arrived, there were few places where I could connect with other immigrants or share my culture,” Wong explains. “This festival creates that space – not just for newcomers to feel welcome, but for all Islanders to learn from each other.”
The festival’s expansion reflects broader demographic changes across Prince Edward Island. The province welcomed over 4,000 new permanent residents in 2023 alone, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – the highest per capita immigration rate in Atlantic Canada.
“What’s happening in Summerside mirrors the Island-wide story,” notes Dr. Kevin MacLeod, sociology professor at UPEI who studies migration patterns in Atlantic Canada. “We’re seeing communities that historically saw little immigration now experiencing significant demographic shifts. These festivals aren’t just celebrations – they’re part of the essential work of community building.”
Not everyone is embracing the change without reservation. At recent city council meetings, some residents expressed concerns about parking, noise, and the festival’s $65,000 price tag, which will be partially funded through municipal budgets.
Councilor Cory Snow acknowledges these concerns but stands behind the investment. “Change always brings questions, but the economic and cultural returns far outweigh the costs. Festivals like this put Summerside on the map and reflect who we’re becoming as a community.”
The PEIANC has established a community advisory committee to ensure local voices guide festival planning. Monthly meetings began in September, with representatives from diverse cultural communities, business associations, and long-time residents collaborating on everything from vendor selection to traffic management.
“The key to success is making sure everyone feels ownership,” explains Bailey. “This isn’t an event being imposed on Summerside – it’s being built by Summerside residents of all backgrounds.”
Local schools are already incorporating the upcoming festival into their curricula. Summerside Intermediate School principal James Carson describes how students are researching the countries represented in their community and will create exhibits for the festival.
“Our students come from increasingly diverse backgrounds,” Carson notes. “For many of them, this festival will be the first time they see their cultural heritage celebrated so publicly in their hometown. That kind of representation matters deeply.”
As preparations continue, organizers emphasize that while the festival celebrates diversity, its ultimate aim is unity. “We don’t host DiverseCity to highlight differences,” Bailey says. “We do it to show that our differences enrich our shared Island identity. At the end of the day, we’re all Islanders, whether your family has been here for generations or you arrived last month.”
For Summerside, a city historically defined by its shipbuilding past and later by its air force base, the festival represents another evolution in its identity. As Mayor Stewart puts it: “Every generation of Summersiders has defined this city in their own way. This festival belongs to the Summerside of tomorrow.”
