Partner profile: Norwood Hotel

The Norwood Hotel has been a supporter of Folklorama for years, playing an active role in the vibrant ethno-cultural community even before the Festival kicks off each year. From hosting meetings and workshops to supporting key events leading up to the Festival, their ongoing support enriches the experience, ensuring that Folklorama remains a key celebration in Winnipeg’s cultural calendar year after year.

“I love the camaraderie that is evident in the events. The excitement starts to build and makes everyone around it want to participate,” shared Dawn Pilcher, General Manager at the Norwood Hotel, reflecting on the energy that surrounds the Folklorama preparations. This collective energy is felt by everyone involved and it highlights the importance of bringing people together to celebrate culture and community. If you’ve ever been in Winnipeg during the Folklorama Festival, you know there is a certain energy shift that can be hard to describe!

Dawn also has a personal connection to Folklorama. “My favorite memory is growing up and going to Folklorama every year with my parents and learning about my background in going to those Pavilions,” she describes. “I also went to the Ethiopian [Pavilion] two years ago and absolutely loved it. We were treated like we were guests in their home.” These experiences show the importance of Folklorama as not only a chance to learn about others but also to explore one’s own ethno-cultural roots.

The Norwood Hotel itself has a rich history, having opened its doors in 1895 at the corner of Marion Street and Tache. As the oldest locally owned hotel in Winnipeg, the Norwood Hotel has been at the forefront of many changes in the city. It was one of the first bars to allow women to drink alongside men, the first to feature live entertainment, and one of the first businesses in the city to cash cheques for customers. The hotel also led the way by banning smoking in its coffee shop and dining room and being the first hotel to have a beer store.

Though the Norwood Hotel has undergone several renovations over the years, it remains a beloved institution. The combination of its historic charm and modern amenities ensures that the hotel continues to be a key player in Winnipeg’s evolving ethno-cultural landscape.

As they celebrate 130 years of history, the Norwood Hotel remains deeply committed to supporting events like Folklorama that celebrate diversity and bring the community together. It’s this spirit of connection and tradition that makes both the Norwood Hotel and Folklorama such vital parts of Winnipeg’s identity, both fostering partnerships rooted in community.