Immigrants get acquainted at Newcomers Day Fair (7 photos)

Dozens of immigrants are at the Waterfront Adventure Centre this afternoon to take part in the Newcomers Day Fair.

Hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie and Area Local Immigration Partnership, the event is aimed to help immigrants and other newcomers to get to know their community better.

Around a dozen organizations are on-site to provide resources and tools to help the newcomers and their families transition to the Sault.

Steve Araba, the coordinator of the Local Immigration Partnership, was happy to see some of the city’s newest residents interacting with the service providers that meet their needs.

“We want to make sure we can attract, support, and retain newcomers when they’re coming into the city,” he says. “Unfortunately, when newcomers arrive, they often gravitate towards people from their own countries, and sometimes they don’t have all the information. We wanted to create an easy environment where they can meet service providers, have fun, and feel more welcome into the community.”

On top of learning about the services available to them, attendees are also enjoying cultural music, pickleball games, henna art, face painting, pizza, and other refreshments.

The Newcomers Day Fair runs until 4 p.m. this afternoon.