Cultural festivals take advantage of August Long Weekend

August Long Weekend is a prime opportunity to put on a festival and many of Manitoba cultural communities are taking advantage of it.

Gimli is hosting the 124^th Islendingadagurinn, Canada’s biggest celebration of Icelandic culture. The annual festival attracts thousands of people from across Canada and Iceland, including Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson. Manitoba is home to the largest population of Icelanders outside of Iceland.

Meanwhile, Dauphin hosts their Ukrainian Festival, which runs all weekend. Premier Greg Selinger tweeted a photo of himself and area MLA Stan Struthers dress in traditional Ukrainian attire.

Another option this weekend is Pioneer Days at Steinbach's Mennonite Heritage Village, which run until Monday.

Folklorama begins in Winnipeg on Sunday. There are 46 pavilions that will be open over the festival’s two-week run.

• 

  A re-enactor is dressed in traditional Viking garb for as part Islendingadagurinn, the Icelandic festival.