At Moncton Cares, also known as NB Cares, we believe that food has a special power to bring people together. A shared meal can create conversation, build trust, celebrate tradition, and help people feel connected to their community. As a growing Multicultural Center, we were proud to host our Multicultural Community BBQ on May 31, 2026, at Centennial Park, Moncton.
The purpose of this BBQ was simple but meaningful: to create a welcoming space where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and generations could come together, enjoy food, experience performances, visit community booths, and build friendships. Events like this help celebrate the beautiful traditions that make Greater Moncton and New Brunswick stronger.
This year’s Multicultural Community BBQ welcomed 1,230 participants and was largely managed by an incredible team of 77 volunteers. Their hard work, planning, kindness, and energy made the event possible. From setup and registration to food service, vendor support, cleanup, and participant assistance, volunteers played a major role in creating a safe, organized, and welcoming experience for everyone.
We were honoured to welcome several community leaders and elected officials who visited the BBQ and showed their support, including Mayor Shawn Crossman, Councillor Julianna Mutch, MLA Alexandre Cédric Doucet, MLA Rob Weir, and MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Their presence encouraged our volunteers, performers, vendors, and participants, and showed the importance of community leadership in supporting multicultural events and grassroots organizations.
The event included various booths from not-for-profit organizations and small vendors, giving community members the opportunity to learn about local services, support small businesses, and connect with people doing meaningful work in the region. These booths added value to the event by creating space for awareness, entrepreneurship, partnership, and community engagement.
We were also honoured to have participation from BAGMA — the Bangladesh community, who helped bring cultural representation and community connection to the event. The day featured wonderful multicultural performances, including a Malagasy performer, Vietnamese performers, Chinese performers, and a Latin American Zumba artist. These performances created a lively and welcoming atmosphere where people could enjoy different cultural expressions through dance, movement, music, and celebration.
For many families, the BBQ was not only about food; it was also about feeling included. Children, parents, seniors, new Canadians, and long-time residents all had the opportunity to gather in one place, meet new people, and enjoy the richness of different cultures.
All funds raised through this event were planned to support the Moncton Cares multicultural food bank operation, helping us continue serving families and individuals facing food insecurity. This made the event not only a celebration, but also a meaningful community effort to support those in need.
At NB Cares / Moncton Cares, we see events like the Multicultural Community BBQ as more than one-day celebrations. They are part of our ongoing commitment to building a connected, inclusive, and welcoming community.
Thank you to all elected officials, performers, volunteers, vendors, not-for-profit partners, families, and supporters who helped make this BBQ a beautiful celebration of food, friendship, culture, and community.
Together, we celebrate culture. Together, we build community.
