Touring across the world at home
Folklorama guides help make night to remember for pavilion-goers
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/04/2025 (411 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
For Sara Sambanthan, attending Folklorama is like stepping foot inside her childhood home.
“I basically grew up at Folklorama,” she says.
The 29-year-old, whose parents emigrated from Sri Lanka, has been involved with the annual celebration of global culture for as long as she can remember. She danced in the Tamil pavilion as a child before moving on to volunteer roles managing tour groups and serving as an MC.
More recently, she’s volunteered on the festival’s licensing committee and joined its board of directors. Volunteers receive different shirts depending on their role and Sambanthan has a closet full.
“I secretly want to collect (all) the Folklorama shirts,” she says. “I’m trying to get every single colour I possibly can.”
Sambanthan added a yellow shirt to her collection last year when she volunteered as a tour guide. It’s an important role at the festival, which celebrates global culture through live entertainment and cuisine at 40 pavilions throughout Winnipeg.
Tour guides host bus tours from around Winnipeg, rural Manitoba and across North America as they travel to their evening pavilions.
Along the way, they provide commentary, ensure the group receives the correct meal and beverage service at each pavilion and that any problems that arise are dealt with promptly and professionally.
Being a tour guide further deepened Sambanthan’s appreciation for the festival.
“If it wasn’t for the tour guide opportunity, I wouldn’t have had a chance to visit the Portuguese pavilion,” she says. “The people are so wonderful — it felt like home. It felt like I went to my aunt’s house for dinner one night.”
The Brazilian pavilion also stands out to her: “They make sure everyone has a good time.”
Ultimately, it was sampling an array of food and meeting people from different communities that Sambanthan most enjoyed.
“I’m a people person and I love hearing about people’s background and their history and culture,” she says.
Tour guides play a valuable and essential role at Folklorama, Courtney Horwood, manager of group tour programs, says.
She is looking for additional tour guides for this year’s festival, which runs Aug. 3-16.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Volunteer Manitoba needs people to join its board of directors. Members help guide the organization’s strategic direction, support its mission and make a meaningful impact on the non-profit sector. People with diverse backgrounds, experiences and skill sets are needed. Preference will be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous — or have experience working with Indigenous community members or organizations, experience in finance or accounting, a legal background or previous board experience. Successful candidates must prepare for and help with monthly board meetings and support additional committee work as required. For more information, or to apply, email executive director Ashley Seymour at ashley.seymour@volunteermanitoba.ca by April 30.
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is seeking to fill two board member positions. The successful candidate will help guide the organization’s work to support families living with dementia throughout the province. Go to wfp.to/Ws5 for more information. Qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds should send a cover letter and resumé to alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca by Friday.
Oakview Place Extendicare needs mobile library cart attendants to take books to residents. Volunteers will select a variety of books and load the cart, maintain a logbook, collect/exchange books as required and tidy library shelves. They should be able to work independently, have good organizational skills and be able to walk and push a cart. Apply at jbabineau@extendicare.com or 204-888-3005, ext. 241, by May 15.
Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs energetic people who have a passion for engaging with guests and sharing knowledge with visitors from around the world. Flexible scheduling and comprehensive training is offered. Volunteers will be trained at the park, the zoo or the Leaf and can schedule shifts at their preferred location. Must be 14 or older. Opportunities for adult volunteers include engagement ambassadors, visitor services concierge, special events assistants, and facilities and grounds support. Youth ages 14 to 18 are encouraged to apply for camp crew or zoo teen ambassador roles. Volunteers are asked to make a long-term commitment. A minimum commitment of 60 hours for adults or 40 hours for teens is required per year. Apply at wfp.to/WEO by June 15.
The Marlene Street Resource Centre needs a Kids Club assistant to help make sure the children are safe and having fun. Volunteers must be good with kids and have positive energy, have clear criminal and child-abuse checks, and be available on Mondays or Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Email lcirujales@yahoo.com by July 31.
The Manitoba Band Association needs volunteers for the Family of Festivals. For more information about the Level 1 festival, go to wfp.to/AkP. The deadline to apply is April 21.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Movers must be 18 or older, and drivers must be 21 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by April 30.
Heritage Winnipeg needs ambassadors and tour guides for Doors Open Winnipeg. Volunteer shifts take place throughout the city between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 24 and May 25 and are usually three to four hours in length. Ambassadors greet visitors, maintain a visitor count and help distribute information. Tour guides must be outgoing, familiar with the building’s history (provided) and comfortable speaking with the public. Apply at wfp.to/WnI or 204-942-2663 by May 20.
Folklorama is seeking tour guides. Outgoing people who enjoy interacting with groups and have some experience with Folklorama, either from attending or volunteer experience, are needed. The guides host bus tours from around Winnipeg, Manitoba and North America as they travel to pavilions. Training sessions in June will give volunteers the opportunity to learn about Folklorama’s policies and procedures, learn how to host groups, and meet other guides. Apply online at wfp.to/WMK by June 1.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue needs an adoption events co-ordinator who is passionate about planning events and helping dogs find loving homes. The volunteer will lead adoption events and make sure the dogs get the spotlight they deserve. While the role is primarily remote, the co-ordinator is welcome to attend events to connect with adoption partners and other volunteers. Apply at wfp.to/WFf by Aug. 1.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Tour guides must be comfortable with public speaking, have excellent communication and problem-solving skills and work well in collaboration with bus drivers and pavilion volunteers.
“I do believe that tour guides should share Folklorama’s foundational values: respect for people, appreciation for diversity, integrity and respect for culture,” Horwood says.
Two training sessions — one in June and the other on Aug. 3 — will give tour guides the opportunity to meet other guides, learn how to host groups and understand the event’s policies and procedures.
During the festival, tour guides are expected to volunteer for at least three shifts, which last four to six hours each.
Horwood encourages people to apply online at folklorama.ca before June 1.
Sambanthan said her time at Folklorama has led to many friendships.
“It’s kind of where it all started for me,” she says.
“A lot of my friends have moved away from Winnipeg and we’re still connected, so when the gang is in town, we still get together for dinner and drinks. It’s so nice to say I still have these close relationships with people in my community and that all originated in the Tamil pavilion.”
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
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