Janet D’Souza

Toronto, Nov 26: The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC), a unique unrivalled pioneer organization attributes its immense success and longevity to being able to attune, adapt and address the ever-evolving needs of the community it serves. It never stops pursuing great ideas to create platforms for leadership, networking, entrepreneurship, and representation. In addition to its signature programs and events, MAC will launch an exceptional annual event and the first of its kind within the community, the Christmas Bazaar on December 16, 2023.

The MAC Christmas Bazaar will, in part, herald in the Christmas festival where local artisans and vendors can promote their products and services and visitors can buy Christmas gifts, enjoy festive and delicious ethnic dishes, and soak up the holiday spirit. The greater motivation though is for MAC to provide an awareness and visibility of the entrepreneurs especially the young adults within the community who are looking to build a compelling personal brand and penetrate niche markets. As a mature and hugely successful association, MAC is the gateway to well established, flourishing, and prosperous businesswomen and men who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in many aspects of a business. The Bazaar is the perfect opportunity and platform to learn vital entrepreneurial literacy, employability, readiness skills, start up resources and grow their own micro-enterprises in a fun but tried and tested way. The networking will enable the entrepreneurs to understand their customers, demographics, pain points and challenges. MAC ‘s objective is to connect new immigrant entrepreneurs with people within the community who can provide insight on how to avoid risks, bring ideas to market, gain new customers, and become successful.

The Christmas Bazaar is also the perfect venue for talented young artistes to show case their creativity and channel their imagination and original ideas. The Bazaar will feature a live band and Karaoke by the young adults in the community displaying their singing and music prowess while entertaining the visitors. Young children will be engaged with face tattoos, coloring and building gingerbread houses. All visitors to the bazaar will be able to meet and socialize with other community members in a lighthearted fun setting while enjoying a delicious home cooked meal and snacks.

Kudos to the entrepreneurs especially the youth who dared to dream, realize their passion, and establish a business. The Christmas Bazaar will have an array of products and services such as Christmas ornaments and cards, bags, pouches, paintings, wall decors, Goan spices, traditional snacks such as Vada Pav, Bhel Puri, Mysore Pak, mouthwatering Kuswar and everyone’s favorite pork preparations such as Baffat, Sorpetel and Kalizankiti with Sannas.

All the community members have been requested to attend in large numbers with their family and friends. MAC has thanked Vincent and Prescilla Machado are for their generous, selfless, and voluntary monetary gift towards the bazaar. Vincent and Prescilla Machado have been incredible supporters of the Mangalorean Association of Canada and have contributed to the many successful events organized by MAC.

To pique one's interest, here is a sneak peek of all the vendors and their products and services:

• Province of Design – Deborah Lewis for Christmas decorations, greeting cards & jewelry
• Marigold Bakery – Nicole Cardoza for baked goods and cookies
• Udupi Madras Café – Vijay Dante for Golibhaje, Vada, Holige, Vada Pao, Mysore Pak and more
• AmchaKuznanth – Charlotte D’Souza for Pork Baffat, Sannas and cakes
• Jerry’s Mangalorean Spices – Jerry Moraes for Kuswar, KalizAnkiti and Sannas
• Papa Simon’s – Janet Rodrigues for Kuswar and cakes
• Just Like Mum’s – Melisha Noronha for Kuswar, baked goods and cakes
• Rochelle Kitchen Artifacts and Food – Marina Pereira for Sorpetel and Sannas
• Caroline’s Christmas Workshop – Caroline Menezes for muffins and paintings
• Goan Spices – Noel D’Souza for Kuswar and Goan spices
• Bollywood Dance – Jasmine Monteiro for Bhel Puri and dance lessons information
• Maiden Hand – Nina Crasta for handbags, pouches, and wall decors
• Little Flower - Sunita Aranha for Rose Kokkisam and Nevrios
• Jasmine Noronha – realtor and home-made pickles
• Namaste North – Roushelle Lobo for Indian ethnic ladies, men, and kids clothing

The Christmas Bazaar will be held on December 16 from 10 am to 3.30 pm at the Palacio Event Center, 3410 Semenyk Court, Mississauga.