A festival by the community,
for the community.

Where folks in our community come forward to share their knowledge, voices, traditions, and truths, honouring the land we’re on as our “classroom”, honouring the places we’re from for the wisdom they’ve given us.

Well, that was fun!

This year’s Festival felt different (in a good way). Yes, we had a name change, but there was also something that just landed better this year. When it comes to great experiences, sometimes you don’t want to mess with them by trying to understand them better (e.g. does it really matter why that cookie was the best cookie you’ve ever tasted?). But sometimes, reflecting on magical experiences is an important way to learn how to respect them and, if appropriate, sustain them.

We want Connect Fest to be special every time it happens, so: here are my top three guesses about why this year’s Connect Fest was special:

  1. It was the first year we were fully back to all (but one) in-person events. And some of these events were huge, involving hundreds of people. People loved these—many of our visitors and event partners have now told us that we should focus on more large-scale, multi-vendor events. I think this is a great direction, what about you?
  2. After nine years, we have a solid and consistent team of community-engaged advisors, event producers, and academics who are personally and professionally engaged in making the world a better place. These folks (some of whom are pictured below) deserve all the props (and more)!A few of the incredible people who made Connect Fest a success in 2024.
  3. And my personal favourite: we featured way more food and culture this year. Burnaby is super diverse—it is such a gift to learn about our neighbourhoods by going to them and being welcomed by those who live there. I hope our festival can root even more deeply in the Burnaby community next year!

Speaking of next year, I am already collecting feedback and reflections in anticipation. Please add your voice to the upcoming plan by sharing your experiences with us. Tell us what you want more of or less of, or what you would love to see, by emailing me directly: tara_flynn@sfu.ca

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Tara Flynn, Festival Director

Connect Fest program 2024

Download the 2024 program guide to see all events and participating partners.

Download Now (PDF)

Download our final report to see how we did at the festival this year.

Download Now (PDF)

Event gallery

  • Publik Secrets Presents Live Gamelan
  • Publik Secrets Presents Live Gamelan
  • Publik Secrets Presents Live Gamelan
  • Rattle Woman (Candy Zazulak) speaking to an audience.
  • Rattle Woman (Candy Zazulak) speaking to an audience.
  • Rattle Woman (Candy Zazulak) speaking to an audience.
  • Presenter doing science experiment static metal ball with a little girl.
  • Father and son looking at a science microscope
  • Boy looking in to a science microscope.
  • A girl's hair raising demonstration of static charges.
  • Group picture at the Stoney Creek Soundwalk: Voices of the Community I
  • Participants walking into the Stoney Creek Soundwalk event.
  • Volunteer helping a senior on his phone.
  • Group picture at the event A Feast of Learning and Story: An Edmonds Community Connector
  • Children doing crafts at the craft table.
  • Celebration of Culture – Flavour of Edmonds
  • Dancers posing on stage.
  • Dancers dancing on stage.
  • Volunteers serving food to participants.
  • Volunteers serving food to participants.
  • Celebration of Culture – Flavour of Edmonds
  • A Feast of Learning and Story: An Edmonds Community Connector - organizers and volunteer group photo
  • Multicultural Crafts for Children and Caregivers
  • Student learning Chinese calligraphy
  • Mimi helping her students on the computer.
  • Mimi teaching 3D printing on a screen.
  • 3D printer printing a yellow item.
  • Girl pointing at a skeleton display.
  • Presenter showing variety of skulls on stage for audiences.
  • TV showing a welcome sign to the SFU Archaeology @ Connect Fest.
  • Audience sitting in the theatre listening to presenters.
  • Audience speaking to presenters on stage.
  • Presenter on stage speaking.
  • Presenter on stage speaking.
  • Presenter on stage speaking.
  • People playing the game Daybreak.
  • People playing the game Daybreak.
  • People playing the game Daybreak.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Audiences at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Dancers dancing at the event Tales of Dancers.
  • Participant receiving a tea from the volunteer.
  • Two ladies enjoying a tea at the event.
  • Participants discussing in a circle with tea.
  • Participants listening at the event with tea.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Group of participants walking in the park under the rain with umbrellas.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Presenter speaking a multilingual poem to an audience at the park.
  • Group picture of volunteers at the Digital Stories for Community Resilience: Voices of the Community II.
  • Volunteer assisting participant on a tablet at the exhibition.
  • Participant playing on tablet at the exhibition.
  • Burnaby’s Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd, leading a tour on the street in Burnaby.
  • Burnaby’s Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd, leading a tour on the street in Burnaby.
  • Burnaby’s Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd, leading a tour on the street in Burnaby.
  • Two students stacking bricks in a game.
  • Two students stacking bricks in a game.
  • Participant working on his lantern artwork.
  • Presenter talking behind the podium.
  • Participant presenting her art work at the camera.
  • Sakura Mixer: Unveiling the Business and Culture of Japan
  • Sakura Mixer: Unveiling the Business and Culture of Japan dancers
  • Sakura Mixer: Unveiling the Business and Culture of Japan
  • Sakura Mixer: Unveiling the Business and Culture of Japan group picture
Photo credits: Sarah Race Photography & Janet Yan

Event highlights

Read more on Connect Fest X→