Well, if you weren’t at the Dover Multicultural Festival 2024, you missed out on the most extraordinary celebration this side of the English Channel! Picture this; a day where an eclectic mix of music played while children balanced on stilts, all in the shadow of a wrestling ring where bright costumed characters entertained the crowd with flying body slams. Intrigued? You certainly should be!
Kicking off with the incredible Phat Gandalf, summoning resident to the park on a sunny Saturday morning with their super fun metal covers. Proving that metal and multiculturalism go together like fish and chips. A real strong start to the day for our incredible mainstage line up.
As the day progressed, the great music continued with indie/rock group Gentlemen of Few slowing things down before U’zambezi took to the stage with their high energy African beats. Deep River Blues duo entertained us as we came into the afternoon, before Jimmy and the Riddles got everyone on their feet with their mix of reggae, dub and ska covers. Acoustic trio The Upsetters, joining us for the first time this year, rounded off the day with an unforgettable performance.
But music was just the tip of the iceberg. Kids and adults alike flocked to the circus skills workshop, where future acrobats juggled, spun plates, and mastered the hula hoop like pros. Our wonderful face painter transformed little ones into tigers, butterflies, and, of course, the occasional superhero – because Dover can’t resist a good Spider-Man. And speaking of superheroes, our new addition this year of a wrestling ring was a show stealing hit, keeping the crowd entertained for the whole day. And if all this wasn’t enough, were you luck enough to snap a pic with the giant tree people?
The festival wouldn’t be complete without showcasing the talents of our local schools. Charlton, Deal Parochial and Guston primary schools took to the stage with their African drumming performances, showing off all they had learned in their school workshops, facilitated by the awesome Rich Rhythms. It was a heart-warming spectacle that had everyone clapping along, proving once again that music truly is the universal language.
And the food! A culinary journey that took us from the Momos of Nepal to the aromatic kitchens of India, with a pit spot for a belly-busting burger (because who says no to a burger?). It was a gastronomic battle where everyone won and the only loser was your waistline.
But beyond the music, the food and the circus antics, the real star of the show was the Dover Community itself. The festival isn’t just an event – it is a reminder of the power of togetherness. In a world that often feels divided, the Dover Multicultural Festival is a vibrant testament to what happens when we break down cultural barriers and simply enjoy each other’s company. The collaborative performances, where musicians from different backgrounds, created something entirely new, were nothing short of magic. The laughter, the cheers, the sharing of food – these were the moments that turned a good day into a great one.
So here’s to Dover, where metal meets reggae, where meditation and wrestling coexist in perfect harmony, and where the community comes together to celebrate what makes us different – and what makes us the same. So, if you missed it this year, don’t worry – Dover’s Multicultural Festival will be back, bigger, better, and with even more cultural flair. Until next year, keep the spirit alive, keep the music playing, and for the love of Dover, keep welcoming neighbours, strangers and friends.