FSJ hosts World Fair 2026 in Festival Plaza

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — While it wasn’t exactly an international trip, Fort St. Johners filed into Festival Plaza for what was truly a global event.

The 2026 World Fair took place on Sunday, May 31st,  organized by Good I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) FSJ and social service organization S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Fort St. John.

Organizer Ovvian Castrillo-Hill told Energeticcity.ca the festival was in limbo after the end of Resilience BC anti-racism network funding in 2025, but was nonetheless pleased with the final showcase.

“Last year, that was the tail end of the Resilience BC funding that we had,” said Castrillo-Hill. “The last project for that particular funding cycle, the community decided to put up World Fair.”

“Because that contract had ended and there was no other thing in place, we weren’t really sure if we were going to do 2026.”

However, in a unanimous show of support, Castrillo-Hill said sponsors and community organizations wanted to bring the World Fair back due to “the benefits for the community.”

“Overall, with a bare minimum approach, we were able to pull it off,” said Castrillo-Hill. “I’m happy with the turnout this year.”

Inside Festival Plaza, countries showcased their individual cultures, including entries from the Philippines, China, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Thailand, Pakistan and Mexico.

There were also costumes from Norway and India displayed in the centre of the Plaza. Outside, non-profits such as the Fort St. John Public Library, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the Fort St. John North Peace Museum, the Fort St. John Association for Community Living, and the Fort St. John Literary Society, among others welcomed attendees.

Entrants could receive a passport, with each table stamping it as proof of a table visit, and dropping it off in a prize box for a raffle.

Aneudy Grullon, who was running the Dominican Republic table, has been in Fort St. John for over a decade.

His tables featured Dominican art, coffee, and larimar and amber jewellery, and he wanted to showcase the island nation as being “more than baseball.”

“We have music, dance, food and beautiful beaches,” said Grullon. “Punta Cana is very famous.” 

“Canadians always come to [the] Dominican. We have a lot of Canadians who come because the Dominican Republic is a tourist country. Canada is always helping Dominicans, so we are doing the same, showing our culture.”

At the China booth, there were candies and sweets, along with Chinese-made textiles. Attendees could answer a trivia question for a free piece of candy.

Ying Xiao Li originally came to Fort St. John after completing her master’s studies in Vancouver, jokingly saying she “fell in love” with the snow and cold weather.

“When they first approached me to represent China to host a booth here, I was like ‘why not?” said Li. “I used to come here every year, and I haven’t seen a booth representing China for many years.  When they brought the national flag out, I feel [a sense of pride.]”

“It’s a very great opportunity to showcase China, and to share the culture, share the food.”

There were also several performances outside the entranceway each hour, which even included Grullon, who led the crowd in a Latin dance number.

The 2026 World Fair took place on Sunday, May 31st, in Fort St. John at Festival Plaza.