Hapa-palooza is back. Now in its seventh year, the festival is a celebration of mixed heritage and hybrid identity, featuring a vibrant fusion of music, art, storytelling, dance and community gatherings. Happening from September 22 to 24, Hapa-palooza will be free and open to the public as Canada’s first and largest mixed ancestry festival.

Here’s some of what will be happening on each day:

September 22nd: The Hip Hapa Hooray Gala. It’s the event’s kick off complete with hapa-tizers and drinks to honour members of the Hapa community. RSVP here.

September 23rd: Hapa Family Day in the Park, free, family-friendly community afternoon of music, dancing, balloon art, and face painting which welcomes all heritages and ages.

– September 24th: Hapa-palooza Festival at WORD Vancouver, a free literary event open to all, celebrating unique voices coming together.

This year, Hapa-palooza will honour three remarkable community leaders of mixed heritage at the festival’s opening night awards gala, Hip Hapa Hooray! on Friday September 22 evening. This year’s recipients include the Trailblazer Award presented to Joël Watanabe (award-winning chef and restaurateur, Bao Bei and Kissa Tanto), the Innovation Award presented to Ann Marie Fleming (award-winning filmmaker, Window Horses), and the Community Builder Award presented to Wayde Compton (award-winning activist, poet and author).

The weekend will also see a family-friendly celebration at Granville Island on Saturday September 23, and an author panel and writing workshop the the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch on Sunday September 24. Guests can also look forward to performances by CBC’s 2016 Television Searchlight talent contest winner Desirée Dawson, noted performer and educator Michelle La Flamme, and comedian J Peachy.

To find out more about all the fun that’s happening at the Hapa-palooza Festival, you can click here. Stay in the know about this exciting event via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

When: September 22 to 24

Where: Visit hapa-palooza.com for details

Price: Free, required to atttend Hip Hapa Hooray! Awards: RSVP here

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Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of the Hapa-palooza Festival