Father Kamber Croatian Park was buzzing with excitement as members of the Canorient Board of Directors, their spouses, volunteers, and vendors worked enthusiastically to prepare and decorate the grounds for this year’s All Parishes Picnic, held on August 8, 2026.

The day began under grey skies, with dense fog and weather forecasts calling for heavy rain and thunderstorms. However, Mother Nature smiled upon us as the clouds parted to reveal blue skies and perfect weather, creating the ideal setting for the community to come together, reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories.

This year’s picnic featured several exciting firsts. From the introduction of electronic ticket scanning at registration and dedicated parking volunteers assisting guests upon arrival, to the relocation of food vendors closer to the main picnic area so they could enjoy the music and festivities, every detail helped enhance the experience for attendees.

A special shout-out goes to our incredible volunteers, including many young adults and millennials whose participation was particularly encouraging. Special recognition is extended to one of our youngest volunteers, Michael, who approached his responsibilities with remarkable enthusiasm and dedication. Your commitment, hard work, and positive spirit helped make the picnic the outstanding success it was. It truly takes a village to bring an event like this to life.

Two large tents provided welcome shade throughout the day, while an impressive lineup of talented performers, including both seasoned and emerging artists from our community, kept the energy high. The Youth Booth also offered a variety of interactive activities that attracted picnickers of all ages.

Of course, the highlight of the day was the Dunk Tank, a new attraction that quickly became a crowd favourite among both children and adults. Congratulations as well to the lucky winners of the Tombola and 50/50 draws.

The park came alive in a sea of purple, green, and yellow, the vibrant colours of Mardi Gras. It was wonderful to see so many picnickers embrace the theme with colourful costumes and festive accessories. Following remarks by Senator Cardoza and Canorient President Florence Suares, prizes were awarded for the best Mardi Gras costumes.

Congratulations to Mathias D’Souza and family for their coordinated family outfits, and to Patrick Mendes and Eva Paul-Mendes, along with Stephen and Samantha Gonsalves, for being named Best Dressed Couples.

Our young adults also showcased their creativity through beautiful face painting and henna artistry, evident in the many smiling faces proudly displaying their colourful designs throughout the day.

To our food vendors, thank you! Each of you brought your unique culinary talents, energy, and signature dishes, transforming the picnic grounds into a true festival of flavours. Your contributions created a memorable dining experience enjoyed by all.

Throughout the day, our performers and DJs kept the music flowing and the crowd energized. From line dancing and rock-and-roll favourites to toe-tapping melodies that had everyone swaying along, the entertainment added immensely to the festive atmosphere. We are deeply grateful for your time, talent, and volunteer spirit.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our emcees, Peter D’Cunha, Anthony Dias, and Ronald Fernandes, for ensuring the event ran smoothly from start to finish. They coordinated the much-loved All Parishes Parade with ease and enthusiasm, culminating in a moving community rendition of We Are the World that brought everyone together in song.

Finally, the Canorient Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, or supported this year’s picnic. Your participation made the event a resounding success. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another unforgettable celebration of community, friendship, and fun.

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