FLAGS, sequins, stilts and drums were four words which could have described the kick off parade at the 2014 Multicultural Festival Saturday afternoon.
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The festivities began at 3.30pm from the Church Street Rotunda, venturing down Macquarie Street before reaching their final destination at the Dubbo City Council car park.
The parade itself was nothing short of spectacular, with the Macquarie Conservatorium taking spectators on a journey to Macedonia with their Gypsy folk band, led by renowned artist Linsey Pollak.
Once the parade reached the car park, the crowd was treated to a variety of performances from Paul Mbenna and the Okapi Band, and Chinese performers from Dubbo's sister city Wujiang.
The fun did not stop there with groups involved in African drumming, Gypsy Balkan band, Shimmering Gems belly dancing, The Chatties, hip hop performers, Keane Morienus, Circus West and other local artists.
The formal dinner started at 6.30pm at the Dubbo Regional Theatre Convention Centre, a night filled with international cuisine and various other entertainment acts.
Multicultural Festival committee chair Monika McDonald was overwhelmed with the turnout at the festival.
"We were expecting this year to be bigger and better than previous festivals and it certainly has lived up to expectations," she said.
"Even with the parade, people were stopping in the street to see what was going on.
"I think it's a fantastic opportunity for Dubbo to acknowledge the different cultural backgrounds of its residents.
"Australia in general is emerging as a multicultural nation and Dubbo is a prime hub in regional NSW.
"The festival embraces cultural differences and joins everyone together in the community."
