By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express

Representation was evident from most of the 14 pavilions at a recent Fiesta Week meeting, where a little taste of the Caribbean was on the menu while officials discussed safety matters and answered any questions for the upcoming festival. During the meeting several issues were brought forth when it came to ensuring the festival is as safe and fun for everyone.
Officials from the Durham Region Police Service, the Oshawa Fire Department, as well as some other health representatives were on-hand to give their advice. It was more like a question and answer period, says Russ Charter, a member of the Oshawa Folk Arts Council, which puts on the week-long festival.“We tell them what went wrong last year,” he says, adding there weren’t too many problems last year. At a recent council meeting it was brought forth that safety was a concern for vehicles and pedestrians accessing the parking lot for Club Loreley at 389 Dean Avenue.

It was thought that a stop sign should be implemented at Dean Avenue and Normandy Street. The motion to implement the stop sign was lost at the council table, as there were no formal tests done to see if it indeed was the best course of action. However, during the festival this year police will be on-hand to help guide traffic and monitor Fiesta Week. Fiesta Week takes place from June 21 to June 27 and features a taste of Durham with pavilions that highlight European and Caribbean cultures and foods. And you never even have to step foot on a plane. For more information on the weeklong celebration of multiculturalism visit the websit at www.fiestaweek.com or call 905-725-1624.