SURREY’S 2013 Fusion Festival has been nominated for an international ‘GALA Award’ in the category of Best Festival / Fair by Special Events Magazine, an events industry publication that recognizes the best in special events worldwide. The magazine received over 300 entries in 33 categories for its 2013 awards from countries around the world including Canada, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, UAE and the United States of America.

“It’s an honour to be recognized on an international level for Fusion Festival,” said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. “Fusion Fest provides an opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural diversity and has become a landmark event for Surrey.”

“We are all very proud of this event,” said John Donnelly and Associates President John Donnelly, whose company has been co-nominated for its work in the planning and coordination of Fusion Festival. “It’s always a pleasure to be recognized for the work that goes into an event on the scale of Surrey Fusion Festival with over 100 performers from around the world.  This was our sixth year producing this great event with City of Surrey.”

The International GALA Awards will be handed out at a black-tie ceremony in Nashville, TN on January 10 at Special Event Magazine’s “The Special Event” annual conference.

Surrey Fusion Festival is the largest multicultural celebration in British Columbia, attracting over 75,000 attendees and featuring 36 cultural pavilions. It has been previously recognized with a National Star Award in 2011 as Best Cultural Festival in Canada.

City of Surrey and John Donnelly and Associates are also National Star Award winners for Surrey Canada Day, as well as BC Event award winners for Party For the Planet and Surrey’s 2010 Olympic Celebration Site.