Taste of Chatham-Kent (T.O.C.K.) is expanding, much like Chatham-Kent’s cultural diversity.
Rather than bring everyone together into one location, the multicultural celebration is sending people to different locations around the municipality. Plus, T.O.C.K. is to take place between June 27 and July 26.
Event co-chair Tracy Callaghan, speaking at a press conference at Yardie Vibez Jamaican Kitchen, said they wanted to build on what has occurred and provide flexibility to cultural groups and organizations who want to be involved.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said by allowing groups and businesses to host events, it lets them maximize their resources.
“Think back to the Festival of Nations. In talking with a lot of people, it was very hard for businesses to take part,” he said. “Basically, for example, Yardie Vibez would have to close down their business for two days to go down into (Tecumseh) Park.”
Connie Piggott-Wilson, co-owner of Yardie Vibez said they will be taking part in T.O.C.K., with a host of activities.
“I’m so happy this is happening again. We’re so happy we can share our Jamaican culture in Chatham-Kent,” she said. “We’re going to have the Roots and Rhythm Festival.”
The goal is to have music, vendors, Jamaican story time and all sorts of “Jamaicanness” on display and up for sampling, Piggott-Wilson said. Naturally, there will be food for sale at the gatherings.
She added they hope to have their event July 4.
Canniff said T.O.C.K. is all about celebrating differences.
“We are becoming more and more multicultural every year,” he said. “People are coming here from other areas. There are over 70 languages spoken here in Chatham-Kent. We want to celebrate that.”
Callaghan said Yardie Vibez is but one business signed up to take part. She said there are other operations, and different organizations, taking part. Included in the diversity is the Portuguese Canadian Club and the local Thai community, who were both represented at the April 24 press conference.
Carlos Pisquem of the Portuguese Club, said his group will essentially open T.O.C.K. on June 27 and 28 with the annual Our Lady of Fatima celebrations.
There will be a soccer tournament, as local ethnic groups will represent various nations. In the works is a youth tourney as well.
The Saturday will feature other events, Pisquem said, including live music, dancing and food. Sunday delivers the Our Lady of Fatima Parade and worship service at St. Joseph’s Church, followed by more dancing and games at the club on Grand Avenue East.
Panvwat Wigan, speaking on behalf of the local Thai community, said plans are well underway for that group to host a Taste of Thai food event in Thamesville July 26 at the Thai temple.
“We want to have something special for the Thai people, but we also want to promote our community to Chatham-Kent to show how amazing our food is and our dancing is,” he said.
Callaghan said more groups can sign up. In fact, there are grants to be had to help promote individual events. A grant committee will be disbursing support of between $250 and $1,000 to businesses and organizations who qualify. Deadline to apply is May 15.
Part of the criteria is that all events must be free to attend and take place anywhere in Chatham-Kent.
To learn more about T.O.C.K., visit tasteofchathamkent.ca.
