Bring on the Sunshine returns for its tenth year (4 photos)

Celebrating Africa, culture, community and family during Black History Month, Bring on the Sunshine allows Canadians of every origin to share the riches of African cultures.

Jacqui Terry Carroll, with Bring on the Sunshine, says meeting the African community is like a warm and welcoming embrace.

“To be able to feel that welcome and to feel like, right at home and part of the community. And to experience the food, and the music and and the arts, and all the things that really are an expression of the life in Africa, it's really an incredible experience.”

Complete with vendors, live performances, even a games area with african board games, the event begins at 10:30 a.m. goes until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Carroll says the one-day festival is a “true expression” of life in Africa.

“Bring on the Sunshine is a local festival that's actually been running for 10 years, it's our tenth anniversary this year, which is incredibly exciting. Really grassroots, community-based celebration of African culture and of African-Canadians. So it's a real celebration of a community, of African culture in all of its variety and aspects.”

Carroll grew up in Zimbabwe and wants to share her experiences.

“A lot of us who grew up in warmer climates, actually find the winters really long, and I know that's true of Canadians as well. So, having a festival like this that brings people together in what can be one of the hardest months of the year, often during February, it's really heart-warming and it's really nurturing.”

Bring on the Sunshine is held at Kitchener City Hall, and admission is free with a donation.

For a list of Black History Month events happening in the region, click here.