The Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group will host its 10th annual Summer Festival on Sunday at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre.

The free event features music, food, educational workshops and a raffle that gives away more than 20 bicycles to local migrant workers, the thousands of individuals who Mexico and the Caribbean come to work seasonally at Ontario’s farms, vineyards, and greenhouses every year.

Employed under Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, these workers live here for up to eight months of the year, during which time they are separated from their family, friends and home communities.

Some of them are arriving in Canada for the first time this year, while others have been returning for as long as 30 years.

All rely on the income they earn here to support and provide for their loved ones back home.

Locals are encouraged to participate and meet their migrant neighbours.

Event organizers are looking for donations of fruit and desserts, used adult bicycles, as well as Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist with the event.

NMWIG is comprised of community organizations, service providers and individual community members across Niagara.

Since 2010, the group has been working to create a healthier and more welcoming environment for Niagara’s seasonal migrant neighbours.

To get involved visit the NMWIG website at, nmwig.ca.

The fesitival takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.