Volunteers step in after outfits robbed days before major multicultural event in Winnipeg
Posted August 1, 2026 4:50 pm.
Last Updated August 1, 2026 4:54 pm.
Sewing machines have been working for hours over the past couple days as volunteers scramble to restore the stolen outfits days before Winnipeg’s largest-running multicultural event kicks off Sunday.
After organizers packed away outfits for 75 youth for the closing event Wednesday night, the car where they were stored in was broken into and all the outfits were stolen.
“I felt very discouraged and sad at first,” said Jaelynne Wormenor, chair of guest services, Ghana Pavilion. “A bad situation, but it became so hopeful, positive energy, lots of prayers and hope people have given to us and we can feel it here now.”
Following a call for help on social media Thursday, organizers say other pavilions and Winnipeggers donated cash and fabric, while other community members showed up with their sewing talents.
“People started coming in as early as 11 O’clock yesterday and we stayed here until 11:30 p.m. until they kicked us out, but we had people who were willing to stay longer,” say Wormenor.
Jesse Krikorian, a recent immigrant, was one of those volunteers who stepped up.
“You move to Winnipeg and people talk about crime here,” says Krikorian. “It’s really unfortunate that this stuff got stolen, but the people in Winnipeg can more than make up for it.”
In a post on Facebook, organizers said, “Following the theft of all youth cultural dance attire from the Ghana Pavilion, our community has come together in a truly beautiful way. We can’t thank you enough for showing up through donations, volunteer hours and more.”
Maggie Yeboah, entertainment and state coordinator for Ghana Pavilion, says she was initially skeptical whether people would come to help.
“We were so surprised,” Yeboah said. “Yesterday, I was almost in tears, when i walked in here. This room was packed.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the coordinators were hopeful that the costumes will be restored.
“We are almost back on track,” Yeboah said. “By the time they are done sewing today, we should be able to bring our performance just as planned.”
The Folklorama festival is set to begin Sunday and will feature ethno-cultural programming around the city until Aug. 15.
Since its first run in 1970, Folklorama has grown from representing 21 ethno-cultural communities to with 45 different pavilions for its in its 55th edition reflecting the growing diversity of the city.
