Abbotsford residents are going to get the opportunity to experience the colour, tastes, sounds and smells of cultures from around the world at the second annual Abbotsford Multicultural Festival on Saturday.

Also known as Abbyfest, the free event is being held this year at the new Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

The event’s founder and organizer Musleh Hakki said the event is all about bringing the diversity of cultures that exists in Abbotsford under one roof to foster better understanding and spark dialogue.

“I believe strongly in multiculturalism,” said Hakki, who is Muslim, has lived in Canada for three decades, and in Abbotsford for three and a half years.

“I wanted all the people to start talking to one another. You have to have a venue where people come out and learn about each other.”

Hakki said that with the exception of the First Nations, the remainder of Canadian society has been founded on people who arrived from all over the world.

Abbotsford is no exception, Hakki said.

The festival will showcase the ethno-cultural groups, first nations, faith communities, schools and businesses that enrich the community.

Those who attend the family-oriented affair will have the opportunity to visit with the different groups, witness the parade of nations and opening ceremony, enjoy a full day of entertainment, and of course sample different ethnic foods.

Food will run the gamut with tasty treats from all the continents.

“Of course there will also be pizza,” said Hakki with a laugh.

There will also be seven hours of entertainment on the venue’s main stage which will include Spanish, Ukrainian, bhangra and highland dancing as well as Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese and African.

Hakki said the first festival held last year at the Ag-Rec Building was a success and drew more than 3,000 people.

The buzz around this year’s event is even greater, and Hakki is expecting any where between 7,000 to 8,000 people.

Prizes will be drawn for youth every hour on the hour and a raffle for a pair of West Jet tickets is set for 4:30 p.m.

The event opens at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, 33800 King Road.

Admission is free, but donations for the food bank are being accepted at the door.

For more information visit abbyfest.com